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).
Decision to order Dunlop wheels over Rudge Whitworth wheels for the 3 1/2 Litre Bentley cars due to quality concerns.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 88\5\ scan0009 | |
| Date | 12th June 1933 | |
| Roy{Sir Henry Royce} from Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Copy to BY and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} x256 Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}10/T12.6.33. ROAD WHEELS FOR BENTLEY CAR. Will you please order 200 sets of Dunlop Wheels for the first 200 - 3 1/2 Litre Bentley Cars. I have before me your Roy{Sir Henry Royce}5/MG9.6.33, and realise your disappointment; I think we are all equally disappointed that we cannot use Rudge Whitworth wheels, their price is very attractive, but up to now their quality is poor. However, we must take notice of the Experimental Dept., and we can only buy what they standardise and prove efficient. Therefore please proceed with the first 200 cars on the above lines. This of course, does not rule out any further investigation with Rudge Whitworth wheels. There has been some delay in getting the new wheels from Rudge Whitworth, and I hope you will press so that we can try them out further. We cannot wait for them, they will have to pass intensive trials and prove satisfaction before we can use them. I realise all you say about competition and I agree with you that we have an excellent example with Firths and Woodheads, and hope we shall eventually be in a similar position with wheels. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} | ||