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 product feedback on rear axles and power, including comparisons to a competitor's vehicle.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 102\4\ scan0022 | |
| Date | 10th January 1928 | |
| Whr.{Mr Wheeler} London. V5350 Pt.6/PM-10-1-28. C. to B.W. Derby Me. Derby. I am in receipt of your WHr{Mr Wheeler}/Ro{C. C. Rose - Export Manager}10/VP-4-11-27 regarding report from All British Motor Co. In reply I have to advise you that I am getting in touch with Mr. Ford with the object of finding out whether he is still of the same opinion, as expressed in his original report, that the rear axles on our cars are not up to standard and power of the 20 H.P. is not as good as it used to be. The reason you have not had a report from me before is, that, though you have possibly forgotten it, I informed you verbally in London that I had seen Mr. Platford and agreed with him that Ford's adverse criticisms were based merely upon impressions and could not be substantiated, nor do in any way refute the definite figures given as regards power. I saw Ford in Melbourne on my return and told him what Mr. Platford had said, with which I more or less agreed, and he did not seem to have altered his opinion but was merely prepared to let the matter drop realising, I suppose, the futility of putting his opinion up against Works. This is a very natural attitude for him to adopt, though I would much prefer if he continued to criticise so long, of course, as he addresses these criticisms to me only. You may be interested to hear that my own impressions received lately are that our axles do not compare at all favourably with some others in regard to silence, particularly in regard to periodical vibration, nor do we have, I think, anything to spare in the way of power, though here again it can only be a matter of impression and not of fact. I certainly thought the other day when riding in a 20 H.P. "Lanchester" that it was better in acceleration and axle silence than our own, but I admit that I have no means of making a comparison really fair to both cars. At the same time anything that can be done to improve these two features would be much appreciated at this end. In order that Ford may not feel that everything he reports is ignored, I have written him again asking for a further report and some information as to why he criticises these parts, and upon receipt of this I will communicate with you again. Pt. | ||