At Rolls-Royce -
Mulliner Park Ward Division,
hands and eyes are still the most
important tools,
time the most precious resource.
Modern technology has it's place, but as an aid to
craftsmanship, never a substitute.
Thus the track, along which the body shells of the Rolls-Royce
and Bentley progressively take shape,
has the latest in welding equipment and the
most up to date measuring devices which ensure
perfect accuracy.
However sub-assemblies are still welded by hand.
Microscopic flaws in panel surfaces continue
to be sought out by finger-tipssensitive
to almost a micron and
persuaded back into shape by a deft tap
from the panel-beaters hammer. Gaps between doors
(loaded with weights to simulate their fully assembled
condition)
and apertures are still hand filed to thousandths of
an inch.
The result is a body constructed
to the highest standards, seamless,
entirely free of visible panel joins.
During the course of the assembly process, the body
will become a medium through
which other crafts are displayed.
Crafts like that of the coach painterfor
example. Over a period of days,
a perfect finish is produced seemingly fathoms deep,
founded on many layers
of primers, fillers and anti-corrosion treatments.
The work is crowned by the application of
decorative coachlines, every one
hand painted with an artists fiche.
Crafts like that of the coach
trimmer. Creator of that uniquely sumptuous interior ambience
which comes from the bringing together of fourteen fine
blemish-free hides
(the suppliers have long since learned not to send
any other sort), precisely fitted
Wilton carpet and rugs of
luxurious depth.
It is also the coach trimmer who painstakingly arranges,
glues and
hand sews the woolcloth lining,
layers of wadding and fire-resistant covering which constitutes
the hood on convertible models,
each one requires forty
man-hours to complete.
Crafts like that of the cabinet
maker, Constructor of interior fittings; an artist in wood.
Mulliner Park Ward are justly proud of the great
richness of their choice
burr walnut veneers.
They are no less proud of the skill with which veneer,
cross-banding and
inlays are combined to produce facias, door waist rails
and other fittings
which are so symbolic of the quality permeating the whole
motor car.
Finally, the crafts of the engineer
and electrician.
Those who endow the car with all major mechanical components.
Such are the skills
of hand and eye and the time lavished on every car,
that the rewards of ownership come from much more than
the fact that they are
exceptionally fine and exclusive, they are also works
of art.
Copyright
Darkforce Ltd - 1980-2006