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).
Response to a letter regarding Mr. Fedden's Bentley, defending its quality and addressing issues from non-standard fittings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 89\2\ scan0080 | |
| Date | 5th February 1935 | |
| S/W To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} re Mr.Fedden's Car - B-189-AE. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}13/E5.2.35 Thanks for Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/KW.5.2.35. I do not like the wording of part of your letter and should like the third paragraph altered as follows: "We must take exception to the remarks contained in the fifth paragraph of your letter intimating that the Bentley car is up against some difficult problems and suffers from various defects because, apart from the faults which on your car have been brought about by your particular desire to have non-standard fittings, we consider that your car is a very good example of the large number of Bentley's which we have been turning out with eminently satisfactory results. The non-standard fittings to which we refer are the cycle type wings and increased shock absorber loading. We are only sorry that we did not dissuade you entirely from having these cycle type wings fitted in the first place, in the same way as we have dissuaded subsequent clients but at that date we were not aware of their full disadvantages. We would remind you that it is not so long ago that you told Mr.Sidgreaves, our Managing Director, that your Bentley car was far and away the best motor-car that you had ever owned. I believe that you are now comparing it with your Chrysler whereas, as you well know, it should be compared with your Alfa Romeo. To deal with the points in the list dated the 29th ...." (carry on with your draft.) Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||