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).
Design of a name plaque for commercial vehicles, debating various shapes and wording.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 26\1\ Scan085 | |
| Date | 9th November 1960 | |
| To: JPB c: LS Gnr Msl Tln Sdt/JKB 9th November, 1960 Name Plaque for Commercial Vehicles. With reference to your memo dated 7th November I think I told you on returning from the canteen one day recently that Derby had objected to the use of the original suggested name plaque because they said that they now consider the shield crest as used on our notepaper to be archaic. They put forward the suggestion which I passed to Purchase Department and it was also selected by Vsn as his first choice. I, myself, don't like it nearly so much as the original proposal but I agreed to the 'flowerpot' shape because I hope that at least O.E.D. will purchase some from us and so reduce the cost. It is not considered politic to allow the use of the car badge alone, because the implication could be that the complete vehicle was of Rolls-Royce manufacture; the car badge, therefore, must be mounted on a plaque with some such wording as 'powered by' or 'motive power'. Would you agree that a rectangular plaque with the wording 'powered by' above the existing car radiator badge would be more acceptable than the one which has been passed to you by Tln? The latter is the one which you so aptly describe as the 'flowerpot' shape. Personally I think a rectangular plaque would be preferable even to the shield being, I think, more capable of harmonising with the varied structures to which it may be fastened on vehicles, locomotives, boats, hovercraft, and perhaps light aircraft. I would be glad to have a quick reply from you as I want to get this job moving. I am letting Rns go forward with the collection of quotations knowing that the price for a rectangular plaque will probably be no different than that for the 'flowerpot'. Before the final orders are placed, I would be glad if you would have properly drawn for us the finally accepted design. Sdt. 268 | ||