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).
Customer comparing his new car unfavourably to a Cadillac and planning a demonstration.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\1\ Scan037 | |
| Date | 13th July 1921 | |
| X4117 Mr. Hives (Derby) c. to B.J. PN{Mr Northey}23/CM13.7.21. X.3922 X.2565 X.1717 X.3763 There is a car waiting to be delivered to Mr. Dugdale at this moment, at the works of Messrs. Joseph Cockshoot & Company, Limited, Manchester. Chassis No. 50.GE. I have been asked to meet Mr. Dugdale when he takes delivery in order to demonstrate to him how much better the Rolls-Royce is than any other Car he ever heard of, it being surmised that Mr. Dugdale, when satisfied, may purchase a second hand Rolls-Royce Car. You will be interested in reading the following extract from a letter written by Mr. Dugdale to Cockshoots', from which you will see that I shall be starting at scratch:- "I have waited three years for this Car, and I believe I bought a better Car, as regards speed, flexibility, and handiness so am in no great hurry to take her over until she is quite ready. For Mr. Percy Northey's information, you might tell him that my test of the two Cars will decide which one I keep. The Rolls-Royce is so out-of-date in so many things compared with my Cadillac, that I am very sorry I ordered the former. To mention a few items which I am giving up, such as power pump for tyres, Thermostatic control of water, Condenser to radiator, Collapsible steering wheel, Tilting headlights etc. etc., I cannot but be biased. I shall be passing through Manchester on my way south next Thursday and will call to inspect the Car". C.J. is of the opinion that we should immediately make available a Car for the purpose of demonstrating to Mr. Dugdale that we can put up a performance which should compare favourably with that of his Cadillac - this being the case, what would you propose? The Body now made for Dugdale is of the "All-weather" type. Probably an Open Car ballasted to the equivalent weight of the "All-weather" Body now made at Cockshoots' would satisfy Mr. Dugdale as being reasonably equivalent, in which case your 1.EX Car might serve our purpose, provided the speed to which Dugdale refers is average high speed and not speeds in the neighbourhood of seventy and eighty miles an hour. Have you definitely the information that the Cadillac Car is able to run on a level and under good conditions at a rate of seventy and eighty miles an hour? I know that the Packard contd:- | ||