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).
Secret memo querying the decision to use two different wheel sizes for the 'VSS' car, citing potential sales issues.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 17\7\ Scan025 | |
Date | 1st March 1929 | |
SECRET. 47810 To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wheels for "VSS" Car. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}15/E1.3.29 I have just seen Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1/LG20.2.29. I should be glad to know whether you have had any reply from R.{Sir Henry Royce} and also to know why it is suggested that the first batch of cars should have the 21" rims if, as I gather, it is the intention to change on to the 20" wheels later. The latter appear to have the advantage of giving us slight-lower chassis with the lower gear ratio, and it seems a pity to start with one size of wheel and then make a change if we can avoid it, because as you know every change of this sort makes serious sales troubles for us from the point of view of ante-dating cars which are not equipped with the latest. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||