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 letter providing feedback on vehicle comfort and comparing it to American cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 89\1\ scan0198 | |
| Date | 29th July 1936 | |
| 1. 29th July, 1936. in your policy, and I can quite appreciate your reluctance to depart from this policy, On the other hand such enormous strides have been made in the technique of motor-car production, that the gap between the cheap mass production car and your own product has been narrowed down enormously, and I venture to suggest that it will continue to narrow as time goes on. I do not wish you to think that I am a dissatisfied owner, whose only desire it is to criticize, but I would like you to appreciate that I have had very considerable experience of high speed motoring, free from the bias which, I think, all racing drivers acquire. With due respects to Mr. Raymond Mays, your advertisement quoting him left me quite cold. I want really fast motoring with really great comfort. I believe, if I should purchase a Packard I would obtain it. The Bentley has many delightful features, but comfort is not one of them. I do not like American cars and I hope that I shall not be forced to buy one, but I know several people who tell me that if I once owned a high grade American car, I should never buy another Bentley. As I told you in my previous letter the performance of the 4 1/4 litre is excellent, I only ask you now seriously to consider increasing the comfort. I am quite convinced that this can be done, and that you will do it, but I hope that you will not delay too long, and keep me and several other Bentley owners, who I know share my views, waiting, and leave us open to the temptation of seeking our requirements from across the water. Yours faithfully, (Signed) Richard F.{Mr Friese} Summers. | ||