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).
Letter discussing the commercial viability and pricing of Aerolite pistons for Bentley cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 87\2\ scan0137 | |
| Date | 25th February 1936 | |
| x236 Exptl. Dept. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}20/KW.25.2.36. 25th February, 1936. C.H. Brooks Esq., The Light Production Co.Ltd., 60/66, Rochester Row, Westminster. LONDON, S.W.1. Dear Mr. Brooks, We are getting severe criticisms of the Aerolite piston on the Bentley from various people who are always opposed to anything not made in our factory being fitted to the car. I am fighting for the piston on its own merits, but in the course of this discussion the question of price has been raised. Normally the question of the price of bought out parts has absolutely nothing to do with me, and I avoid becoming involved with it as far as possible. In this particular case, however, it appears that the opponents of the Aerolite piston are satisfied that these are more expensive than the split skirt piston which we make ourselves, and which was fitted to the first 300 Bentleys and has on the whole given satisfaction. It appears to me that fundamentally the Aerolite piston cannot be appreciably more expensive than our split skirt piston, and I am therefore writing to ask you whether, now that you know the worst with regard to teething troubles and have got over some of the initial expense of introducing Aerolite pistons on the Bentley, you are still satisfied that the present price is the lowest which permits you to supply this article as a commercial proposition. | ||