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).
Notes of a conference at Derby discussing proposed new car models and market strategy.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\4\ 04-page010 | |
| Date | 31th December 1931 | |
| HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X4553. Notes of conference at Derby December 31st, 1931. Present:- Nor. B. HY.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Ry. B.II Car. Nor. opened a discussion on the above subject and all our proposed new models were reviewed. The conference was satisfied that the three RR. models which we expect to have on the market toward the end of 1932, viz: P.II, J.III and Peregrine will cover a big field and will cater for three distinct classes of requirements without overlapping. It was agreed that they will constitute a much better range than the two models (P.II and 20/25) which we have at present and should bring in more orders and increase our volume of work. We are therefore satisfied that the three models we are working on are right and the work of getting experimental chassis of J.III and Peregrine on the road quickly is being urged forward and is progressing well. It was considered that there is not the same certainty, however, that the B.II chassis will exactly fill the need for the Bentley chassis. The supercharged B.II will be a fast sporting car but the general opinion is that it will be decidedly unpleasant with a closed body and that this will reduce the size of the market considerably. The unsupercharged B.II will carry a closed body satisfactorily, but it has the objection that it will be practically the same size and capacity, and have practically the same performance as the Peregrine. We are pushing ahead with both these models of B.II, but would like to add a further model to be made for experimental test. It was suggested and agreed that it be recommended that we take the B.II chassis minus engine unit and fit to it the improved J.I engine unit. This combination would give a compact fast sporting car which would be pleasant to use with a closed body, and it is anticipated that it would do 90 m.p.h. Contd: | ||