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).
Arrangements to acquire and test competitor vehicles, specifically a Lanchester and a Fiat, against their own 25 HP cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 128\1\ scan0129 | |
| Date | 8th January 1932 | |
| Y 3531 Hn.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/AD8.1.32. On Thursday of next week we want to get hold of an 18 HP. Lanchester and a Fiat if this is possible, to try as we did the Talbot the other day. As PN.{Mr Northey} is friendly with Mr. Instone it would perhaps be possible to get the Lanchester without having to pose as a prospective customer which is always so unsatisfactory and we can then try it against one of our 25 HP. cars. The Fiat will undoubtedly not be so easy and two people only may be able to go in the car to try it out. I personally do not want to go in it as I have already had a run when I was considering buying one for myself. On these occasions we normally come up from Derby by road and shall be meeting PN.{Mr Northey} and Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} at Bignalls corner at about 11-15 a.m. so that if there is any question about the best time to get hold of the car they will probably be able to give you some information. We shall be much obliged if you will let us know anything you are able to do in the matter. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||