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).
Comparing engine cold-start performance with American cars, noting superior reliability.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 50\2\ Scan113 | |
| Date | 28th February 1929 | |
| To Sg. {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Y4298 Hsl/LGl.3.29. RE. STARTING UP ENGINES FROM COLD. Sg {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} 8/D28.2.29. Y1449 As regards starting up engines from cold. This is a point on which we can confidently say we are better than any other car, including American cars. I leave a car out most nights, I never fill up with hot water or lift the bonnet, and I never use the starting handle. I have never had the least difficulty in starting R-R cars. Frequently, I have left other makes of car out all night and the starting up is nothing like so certain. The chrysler car which we recently purchased, and which is a very good example of an American car, is nothing like as reliable for starting as the RR. During the recent cold spell there have been three or four occasions when we have had to tow this car because in the effort to start it, the battery has run down. We have also had it confirmed by Springfield that the starting of the RR. car gives no trouble whatever under their extremely cold conditions. Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||