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).
Reputational risk of adopting Lucas magnetos due to their poor performance on Morris cars.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\Q\April1927-June1927\ 18 | |
| Date | 12th April 1927 | |
| TO EFC.) FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} & E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} NO. } (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.) Copy to BJ. WOR{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} R2/M12.4.27. REC'D DURING EASTER, AND DESPATCHED 20.4.27. X 8793 MAGNETOS - WATFORD.V.LUCAS. (The word WATFORD is struck through) I am not prejudiced against the Lucas machine, except that for our reputation and Sales point of view, I fear that the Lucas magneto has made itself such a bad reputation by being a failure in its earlier form on the Morris cars, that I cannot agree, for a matter of £3. on a £3000 car, running the risk of lowering the reputation of our supplies, in the critical buyers' judgment (or his chauffeur's criticism.) Moreover we must be aware that Lucas will do anything to push up his reputation at this moment. If he were able to say RR. had adopted their machines it would pay them to give their machines to us for a period. In the meantime we might lose our other English supply. Regarding the efficiency and reliability of Lucas machines I do not at the moment consider we have had enough experience with them in time and numbers to give us sufficient confidence to recommend the change, so we have two distinct reasons for our actions. Let them therefore prove that they are now making a reliable machine, and gain a good reputation with other makes of car, such as the Morris, then, and not till then, should we decide to adopt the Lucas machine. You will also see that unless we are obliged for some reason or another, we ought not to adopt the same accessories as are fitted to the lowest priced car obtainable. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||