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).
Proposing the evaluation of a small Fiat to inform the design and cost of the upcoming 'Peregrine' project.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 21\7\ Scan042 | |
| Date | 1st January 1932 | |
| 1535 To SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}, c. to Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}, c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}2/MJ.1.1.32. 'PEREGRINE'. 1407 In considering our programme for cars we think it would be useful for all of us to get a picture of what we think 'Peregrine' will be like. At the last Motor Show we took the opportunity of driving most of the cars of this class and the one that stood out as being by far the best example, is the small Fiat. You will remember that we recommended that we should purchase one of these cars, but R.{Sir Henry Royce} turned it down. We still think it would be useful if we could test one of these cars together, and form some sort of idea of its qualities, and what we might expect from 'Peregrine'. The question of cost is going to be a very important point on 'Peregrine', because we shall enter a class where cars are built in large quantities and a remarkable value can be obtained. The price of the Fiat before the depreciation in sterling was - Chassis £245, which includes 33% tariff. With a saloon body it was sold for £335. With the depreciation of sterling we believe it is now round about £375. We hold the view that the Fiat is very nearly as good from a user's point of view as we should expect the 'Peregrine' to be. We should like to confirm this by trying another car. We say that this car is intensely interesting in order to check up our design and materials as regards cost. It should be realised that when we make a small car we are entering a market which we know nothing about and therefore there is more reason than ever why we should study carefully other makes of cars in this class. We might arrange a trial on the Fiat car when we bring 27-EX. car to London, or perhaps better still would be for you to try and borrow the car for the week end. HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||