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).
Complaint from bearing manufacturer G.A. Vandervell about an engine thud and the competitive situation.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 89\4\ scan0386 | |
| Date | 19th December 1938 | |
| 261 W/S. H.. from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/R.19.12.38. G.A. Vandervell - B.57.KU. With reference to H16/RH.{R. Hollingworth}14.12.38, Vandervell complained to me about the thud in his engine several times before he actually sent his car in, but we did not have any correspondence on the subject. Vandervell himself is a bearing manufacturer, and, of course, is in direct competition with Rolls-Royce in this respect since we are now marketing our own bearing alloy. He was particularly anxious that we should take out of his car the R.R. bearings, and replace them by his own products, but for obvious reasons we did not do this. Under the circumstances we suggest that the minimum amount of writing be done as regards Mr. Vandervell, and believe that the best way of settling the matter would be to discuss it with Vandervell the next time he comes to Derby. Our experience so far indicates that he should not have any further trouble. He admits that he drives the car to the limit, and has exceeded 4,500 revs., so that he is not altogether blameless. | ||