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).
Report of impressions from the Olympia Motor Car Show of November 1921, comparing vehicles and manufacturing conditions.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\H\November1921\ Scan53 | |
| Date | 11th November 1921 | |
| To C.J. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} Copy to WGT. " " HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} " " EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} " " ES. " " DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} R B ORIGINAL COPY. R2/G15/11/21. A/775 IMPRESSIONS OF THE MOTOR CAR SHOW - OLYMPIA - NOV. 1921. (1) Little or no progress is noted for starting and running on low grade petrol. (2) Front wheel brakes have been rushed on cars of many Continental makes, and are not in running condition (want of clearance, unfinished) confirmed by Mr. Perrot. (3) Costs, prices, etc. are incomparable between countries, i.e. Italian, French (no German, if there were one could buy for about 1c of English and American price) i.e. most unsettled state of exchange and market values. (4) If we purchase a chassis for comparison with "Goshawk II" we ought to be sure it has equal virtues, i.e. not on price but on merit as judged. The actual cost of making cannot be judged from the present sale price which may be a desperate effort, and anticipate fall of costs, etc. as stated in (3) (5) Concerning bodies. There is much more room for dissatisfaction in price such as we should have to pay at present, than in the anticipated cost of our chassis. For instance, Lorraine Dietrich body which E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} says is quoted at £100 with all equipment. What have we to pay ? (6) The Chenard and Walker are the most interesting because of the front wheel brakes with relay operation and the free wheel change gear. (7) The big Delage is said to be too heavy for the engine (Mons. Perrot) the 15 H.P. four cylinder is our capacity. Also the Lorraine-Dietrich (note tappet not lubricated, no detachable head) and other short-comings which make this difficult to compare with "Goshawk II". (8) We have the impression that our Works and the rest of England must buy and produce cheaper. It is not the difference in design, but of conditions of manufacture, cost of labour etc. which are nearly prohibitive & unsatisfactory and high in England at present. (Contd.) | ||