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).
Page from 'The Autocar' magazine featuring letters to the editor regarding used car values and car design.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\5\ scan0302 | |
| Date | 7th March 1941 | |
| March 7th, 1941 The Autocar 217 Correspondence OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF OUR CORRESPONDENTS, WITH WHICH "THE AUTOCAR" DOES NOT NECESSARILY AGREE. LETTERS INTENDED FOR PUBLICATION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE EDITOR, "THE AUTOCAR," DORSET HOUSE, STAMFORD STREET, LONDON, S.E.1 Bright days bring thoughts of Spring. An Alvis in shadow and sunshine at Sonning-on-Thames, Berks. LMF 49 PRESENT VALUES The Case of an Old Car that is in Exceptional Condition [50009.] — With reference to your article, “Used Car Prices,” in your February 21st issue, I have a late 1930 series 12 h.p. four-cylinder Austin Burnham saloon. It has done about 35,000 miles and is in first-class condition—in fact, practically showroom condition. The engine has never been rebored, the tyres and batteries are first-class, and yet dealers will only allow £5, and that in an exchange. Here is a car which obviously has hundreds of pounds’ worth of wear in it still and which, in these times, should be at least worth £30. Can you or your readers explain the anomaly? Putney, S.W.15. R.{Sir Henry Royce} J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} BENNETT. Basis Suggested by Which the Used Car Market Would be Maintained on a Sound Economic Level [50010.]—I have read with interest the article in your issue of February 21st regarding the control of used car prices. You state that any scheme for Government control of used car prices is doomed to failure. Since I gave my first warning to motor traders last November to the effect that the control of maximum prices of used cars was under consideration by the Government, many criticisms have appeared in the trade and daily Press, but all seem to have failed to grasp what my warning really conveyed. You state, “He will be a clever man indeed who devises a formula to decide fixed prices at which used cars could be sold.” In this I quite agree. Long ago I came to the conclusion that there is no workable formula for the valuation of used motor vehicles, because of the varying usage to which they are subjected. In the “Guide to Used Car Values” which I have published for many years I have given a monthly basic price for each make and model of car in normal condition, this price being subject to plus or minus according to condition. The “Guide” basic price also takes into consideration the popularity of each model. I have never attempted to lay down a fixed price for any model of motor vehicle, and I am certain that the Government has no intention of doing so. My warning to the trade last November did not suggest this. What I did say was that the Government is considering the control of maximum retail prices. This is a very different matter, and I still maintain that motor traders should welcome such control as a stimulus to trade. If retail prices are allowed to soar sky-high those traders who have bought extensive stocks of cars may reap a temporary benefit, but only to the detriment of the trade in general. If, on the other hand, prices are restricted to a reasonable maximum level, there should be a steady flow of sales throughout the country to the advantage of all concerned. Excessive price inflation would thus be prevented and the used car market would be maintained on a sound economic level. I suggest that the Government should now fix a reasonable maximum retail price on all used motor vehicles, based on the makers’ more recent list price, or, alternatively, on the retail price ruling in the used car market immediately pre-war. This could be arranged without difficulty on a percentage basis varying with the year of the model. The controlled maximum limit of prices would not affect the valuation of individual vehicles and traders would still be free to place their own valuation on vehicles according to condition, supply and demand; but in no case would they be permitted to exceed the controlled retail maximum limit. The controlled maximum limit could be modified periodically as circumstances justified, and in this connection the Government would undoubtedly welcome the assistance of a panel of experts, unbiased by any financial interest in the used-car market. WILLIAM GLASS, A.M.I.A.E., F.I.M.T., Governing Director, Weybridge. William Glass (G.U.C.V.), Ltd. “EVERYMAN” CAR Advantages of Two-stroke and Front Wheel Drive Design for a Cheap and Economical Type [50011.] — With reference to letter [49986] in your issue of February 14th, it would be interesting to know why no British manufacturer of repute has marketed a low-priced car on the lines of the two-stroke front wheel drive D.K.W. This car appears to present many advantages over the normal design, the principal one being economy in both first cost and subsequent maintenance. Also, the design should produce reliability on account of the elimination of many parts compared with the accepted type of small car. One naturally cannot expect advantages in all directions, and on the debit side of the proposition no doubt a reduction in maximum speed of perhaps 15 m.p.h. would have to be accepted. But the hill-climbing properties would not be affected to anything like the same extent, owing to the better pulling powers of the two-stroke at comparatively low revolutions. The reduction in maximum speed, from the point of view of the impecunious owner, would be an advantage, as there is a very sharp step-up in running costs when excessive speed is used. Additionally, small cheap cars are uncomfortable in excess | ||