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).
Market reception, modifications, and sales strategy for the 25 HP car in the U.S.A.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\4\ Scan229 | |
| Date | 1st December 1930 | |
| Y7772 To R.{Sir Henry Royce} From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} (In U.S.A.) Received 1.12.30. -Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1 c. to Eg. Mor. c. to S. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} 25 HP. IN U.S.A. X.5770. X.7941d. X.7772. The 25 HP. car was discussed after the Phantom II by R.A.I. officials. We had three samples of the 25 HP. car which were all tried. (1) One of the Propaganda cars, (2) car with Brewster body, (3) customer's car, with Park Ward body, Delco shock absorbers in place of R.R. Everyone here is most enthusiastic over the 25 HP. car, they have run these cars for a considerable distance and they consider they are wonderful. The only criticism is the riding, but as they are reasonably satisfied with the cars they have modified they consider this is a point which can be overcome. The chief obstacles here at the moment I see against the 25 HP. are - (1) It must be left-handed. You cannot expect to sell cars until it is. (2) At the present time R.A.Inc. have about 100 Phantom I cars to be sold, and it pays them much better to sell a Phantom I car than an imported 25 HP. They are undoubtedly cutting the price of Phantom I and should expect they would sell a Phantom I car for the same price as an imported 25 HP. When they have cleared the stock of Phantom I and are selling only imported Phantom II cars at the regular price I feel they will then badly need the 25 HP. Except for the riding the only other criticism was that the starter should be operated by a button. At present if you stop your engine it means going into neutral and starting operations again. Of course the price at present is a great handicap. They want to be able to sell it complete under 10,000 dollars. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||