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).
Analyzing Jaguar's sales strategy and comparing second-hand car data for Saloon vs. Drop Head body types in September 1939.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 117\4\ scan0287 | |
Date | 17th March 1944 | |
CONFIDENTIAL To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 1021(4) Ch Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Cr.{Mr Cra???ster / Mr Chichester}3/DH.{D. Henderson - Showroom} 17.3.44. No, I do not suggest Jaguar would sell more cars if they introduced a six-light body. With the possible exception of the 14 hp chassis, I am quite sure a six-light Jaguar would be no more of a sales success than a six-light Bentley. Jaguar sell on :- 1) Appearance. 2) Performance. 3) Exceptional body appointments. sacrificing ride and body space to these ends. The public choose six-light coachwork primarily because it offers maximum passenger ease. (This includes being able to see out and get out.) Refinement and good ride, are also demanded in greater measure on this body type, although obviously these are desirable features on all types of car. Below I append another comparison of coachwork types, between Saloon and Drop Head bodies. I can draw no meaty conclusions this time from the result. It may however be an indication of the relative popularity of the two body types. 1938 and 1939 Cars offered Second-hand September, 1939. | | Saloon 6 & 4 light. | Average price. | Drop Head Bodies. | Price. | Ratio. | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Daimler | 17 | £485 | 0 | £590 - £605 | = 17 - 0 | | Humber 16 | 3 | £365 | 0 only offered in 1939 | £405 | = 3 - 0 | | 20 | 4 | £375 | 1 do. | £415 | = 4 - 1 | | 27 | 12 | £405 | 0 do. | £445 | = 12 - 0 | | Rover 14 | 18 | £335 | 0 do. | £398 | = 18 - 0 | | 16 | 7 | £365 | 0 do. | £428 | = 7 - 0 | | Talbot 3 ltr | 10 | £445 | 3 | £525 | = 3.3 - 1 | | S.S. 1½ | 54 | £298 | 15 | £318 | = 3.6 - 1 | | 2½ | 46 | £395 | 5 | £415 | = 9.2 - 1 | | 3½ | 39 | £445 | 6 | £465 | = 6.5 - 1 | Average ratio Sal. - D.H. = 7 - 1 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Cr.{Mr Cra???ster / Mr Chichester} Cr{Mr Cra???ster / Mr Chichester} | ||