From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Costs and feasibility of fitting sheet metal floorboards on Bentley cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 136\5\ scan0091 | |
| Date | 25th July 1934 | |
| W/S. X819 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Sft.{Mr Swift}1/EJ.25.7.34 To. [Redacted] C.c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} C.c. to Hivor. c. to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} C.c. to Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} C.c. to Bn{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} C.c. to EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} BENTLEY RE: FLOORBOARDS IN SHEET METAL - E1/HP.18.7.34 When first we examined the scheme for fitting sheet metal floorboards some time ago we were of the opinion that we should reduce the labour cost in consequence of this modification. This is confirmed by the latest detail drawings issued from By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} and we consider the saving would be round about 6/7 bonus hours per chassis. Against this, however, is the cost of coating inside with asbestos and vulcanizing on the outside with rubber. This would be done away from the works, and without having any firm prices before us we should imagine the cost of carrying out this work would be more than we should save from the works labour cost. There is also the feature of tool cost to be considered. This would be round about £1,000. and would take from 3/4 months to design and put tools into action. It should be born in mind that whatever change is made from wood footboards to metal footboards would involve a big tool cost, and to our mind is one of policy more than a question altogether of recovering the money. Regarding 20/25 HP. sheet metal footboards, if instructions were given for this immediately, or say within the next few weeks, we ought to be able to bring them in during 'G.2' series at a tool cost similar to the amount quoted for Bentley. We agree that Phantom II. is not a practicable consideration for expenditure on metal floorboards. Sft.{Mr Swift} | ||