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).
Alarming trend of former owners purchasing American cars instead of new Rolls-Royces.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 72\2\ scan0029 | |
| Date | 6th January 1928 | |
| X8990 Private and Confidential. I am considerably concerned on glancing through lists of old Rolls-Royce owners who have purchased new cars from us or our Agents, as distinct from those who have purchased second hand cars, that there are quite a number who have sold their R.R. cars and are now using American ones. A few of these are as follows:- Edmund Anschau now using "Chandler" Anthony Hordern "Cadillac" and "Ford-Lincoln" Alex. Hunter "Packard" Lebbeus Hordern "Packard" Miss Garvan "Cadillac" Scott Fell "Cadillac" Charles Bennett "Cadillac" and "Buick". My reason for distinguishing between purchasers of new R.R. cars and purchasers of second hand ones is that it is obvious, unless financial circumstances have changed, that these people are in a position to afford a R.R. whereas a second hand buyer, who later sells, may not have sufficient funds to purchase a new R.R. and it can readily be understood what his reasons are for making his next car a new American. In none of the cases I have mentioned above does the question of financial inability arise, so it would appear that these ex-R.R. owners have now purchased American cars because they prefer them. This is a most unpleasant admission to have to make, and somewhat alarming, hence my reason for writing you on the subject. I have also had two cases lately brought to my notice of men who say that they are buyers for R.R. cars when R.R. will supply a car which does not require a chauffeur to keep it in order and lubricate it etc. More than once it has been pointed out to me that a man nowadays wants his car to be his slave and not himself to be a slave to the car; a very reasonable and natural wish. Mr. Tillock to whom I wished to give a trial in a Phantom the other day told me he was not interested until we supplied a mechanical pump to blow up his tyres and a "One-shot lubricating system", and he is not alone in his views. Mr. F.{Mr Friese} McMasters, with whom D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} & Co. were in touch, for exactly the same reasons purchased two "Packards". If I may say so, it seems to me that we are losing a lot | ||