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).
Loan of a car to Mr. L. Rapson and advising against using an Experimental car for competitive trials.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 41\4\ Scan131 | |
| Date | 27th May 1920 | |
| To C. From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to BF. c. to EF. E.F.C. X.180 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1/L627.5.20. X-180 Re - CAR FOR MR. L. RAPSON. With reference to your suggestion to loan Mr. Lionel Rapson 3.EX Car. We presume that you mean 1.EX Car because 3.EX is the Northcliffe chassis fitted with the hawk engine. 1.EX Car is at present being used by Mr. Royce but we agreed to sell it when we had a new Experimental car, which will be in about 3 to 4 weeks. We understood that 1.EX Car had been sold to Mr. Alfred Woodhead. If the Sales Department choose to let Mr. Rapson have that car we see no objection; it is fitted with all standard parts. We would not agree, however, for Mr. Rapson to run an Experimental car. In the first place we have not a car to spare - in the second place the Experimental cars are not suitable for competitive trials. Experimental cars are cars which we expect to give trouble because they are fitted with new designs and pieces. We suggest that it is a mistake for us to encourage in any way Mr. Rapson in entering a "Rapsonised" R-R Car. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [STAMP] E F C MAY 27 1920 RECEIVED. | ||