Second Plant

The first outside coachbuilding contract was signed seven days later.

Halford and Sons agreed to supply twenty-five four-passenger tonneau bodies, painted Brunswick green, built strictly to Teucher blueprint standards.

The first finished body arrived at the Helmarte assembly depot on a flatbed dray the following Tuesday.

Ernest was there with Davies and two young inspectors. He held a long brass checking gauge against the rear mounting points where the timber sills met the steel chassis frame.

He checked the left sill. Then the right.

He laid the gauge down. "Rejected."

Mr. Halford, who had come in person with his son to watch the delivery, went red in the face. "Rejected? What are you talking about? Look at that paint! That's five coats of carriage varnish!"

"The paint is beautiful," Ernest said. "The rear cross-studs are four millimeters too wide."