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).
Confidential memo discussing the strategy for introducing a new Sports model and associated upgrades.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65a\1\ scan0274 | |
| Date | 16th February 1928 | |
| H/3 CONFIDENTIAL. X7770 To. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from BJ. Copy to R.{Sir Henry Royce} LHS.{Lord Herbert Scott} C. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Ex. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Bgs. PN.{Mr Northey} CWB. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} Rg.{Mr Rowledge} Py. WHr.{Mr Wheeler} BJ3/E16.2.28 I received a letter from R.{Sir Henry Royce} yesterday mentioning that he considered it very desirable that the new head should be put into production as standard as soon as possible and intimating that he advised that the Sports car should not be delivered until we were in a position to supply the above as standard. At a conference in the train from Derby last night it was considered desirable by those present, namely, LHS{Lord Herbert Scott}, C, Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}, PN{Mr Northey}, Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} and BJ that, as the introduction of a Sports model was originally deemed necessary to help us over what then appeared to be a serious and lengthy financial crisis, and as this crisis had to a great extent righted itself owing to the Economy Campaign, there was, therefore, not the same urgent necessity for introducing the Sports model. Under these circumstances it will be safer not to run the risk of broadcasting the fact that we are introducing a new cylinder head, integral radiator shutters and front axle control until we are ready to supply these as standard on all chassis, which we hope now will be in the course of a few months. Works officials are now preparing to supply BJ with a report on what scrap will be necessary to introduce these improvements as soon as possible. It was realised that to broadcast the Sports car at present would cause customers to ask if they could obtain these improve-ments on their standard cars if they order now, and if we said "No", there would be a risk of their delaying their orders and waiting for these improvements. Therefore, the Sports car will be immediately hidden and not shown to any one, and the car which is being tested in France will also be treated with the utmost secrecy. In fact, everything to do with these Sports cars must now be locked up and kept as secret as possible until we are ready to broadcast the improvements. In the meantime, if WW has time without disturbing its other important work to design a suitable 4-seated body with a minimum of wind resistance and a minimum of complication, this is | ||