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).
Letter comparing the performance of Shell and BP petrol, recommending a switch to BP due to better performance in a 20 HP chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 20\6\ Scan100 | |
| Date | 7th September 1929 | |
| H.S. We would like your remarks to enable us to reply to Mr. E.W.T. 2/7/29. X985. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from Br.{T. E. Bellringer - Repair Manager} Br1/GS.7.9.29. re - Petrol. ---------- I am not aware what petrol is being used for cars at "W". We at "N" use Shell. Recently we have been told by many customers of the superiority of the new BP spirit, and a short time ago, I had a personal experience of this spirit which is worth recording. We had a 20 h.p. chassis, the engine of which was always prone to pink badly on hills, although it had been recently decarbonised. The car had hitherto been run on Shell petrol. By way of an experiment, the Shell petrol was removed from the tank and same was filled up with BP petrol, it was then impossible to make the engine pink, even when pulling hard up hill, and the power consequently appeared to be noticeably improved. I am wondering if Derby are aware of the qualities of this new spirit and as it is the same price as all other No. 1 grade spirits, I suggest it would be a good plan for its use to be adopted by all departments of the Company. It is certainly being used to a great extent by Rolls-Royce owners, and frequently I have been asked why we supply Shell petrol at "N" when the BP is so obviously better. Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Shell, Pratts High Test, New B.P. Br | ||