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 letter discussing the reasons why previous owners are now purchasing American cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 72\2\ scan0031 | |
| Date | 6th January 1928 | |
| Private and Confidential. +8990 C.J.H to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Derby. I am considerably concerned on glancing through the lists of old Rolls-Royce owners who have purchased new cars from us or our Agents, as distinct from those who have purchased second-hand cars, that there are quite a number who have sold their R.R. cars and are now using American ones. A few of these are as follows:- Edmund Koechlin using "Chandler" and "Ford-Lincoln" Anthony Hordern "Packard" Alex. Hunter "Packard" Lebbeus Hordern "Cadillac" and "Ford-Lincoln" Scott Fell "Cadillac" Charles Bennett "Cadillac" and "Buick" My reason for distinguishing between purchasers of new R.R. cars and purchasers of second hand ones is that it is obvious, unless financial circumstances have changed, that these people are in a position to afford a R.R. whereas a second hand buyer, who later sells, may not have sufficient funds to purchase a new R.R. and it can readily be understood what his reasons are for making his next car a new American. In none of the cases I have mentioned above does the question of financial inability arise, so it would appear that these ex-R.R. owners have now purchased American cars because they prefer them. This is a most unpleasant admission to have to make, and somewhat alarming, hence my reason for writing you on the subject. I have also had two cases lately brought to my notice of men who say that they are buyers for R.R. cars when R.R. will supply a car which does not require a chauffeur to keep it in order and lubricate it etc. More than once it has been pointed out to me that a man nowadays wants his car to be his slave and not himself to be slave to the car; a very reasonable and natural wish. Mr. P. Phillimore to whom I wished to give a trial in a Phantom the other day told me he was not interested until we supplied a mechanical pump to blow up his tyres and a "One-shot lubricating system", and he is not alone in his views. Mr. F.{Mr Friese} McMasters, with whom D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} & Co. were in touch, for exactly the same reasons purchased two "Packards". so if I may say, it seems to me that we are losing a lot 80 | ||