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).
Sales strategy for a potential client, Briggs-Cunningham, regarding future Bentley models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 89\3\ scan0027 | |
| Date | 11th August 1939 | |
| 261 W/S. Bly.{B. W. Bleaney - Bentley Sales} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/R.11.8.39. I believe I have put Briggs-Cunningham off buying a Lagonda. I have told him that we might be in a position to supply what he wants in 12 months' time, i.e., a car with superlative performance, but we have nothing to offer him at present other than a 4¼-litre Bentley. Naturally, I have given him no details at all of the car we are supposed to have in 12 months' time. There was one other alternative proposition in which he was interested, and that was in replacing his present Bentley with a new one. I told him that the Show cars would be representative of any major modifications we were going to make for a little while, and the said he would like the following information:- (1) Earliest delivery in which he could get a Coupe body similar to the one Park Wards built for us on 10-B-V on a Show chassis. He is prepared to buy one off the Stand if it is available. (2) The allowance you would make for his present car as "trade-in" against the new car. Personally, I feel it would be unwise to make any rash promises, and, honestly, I do not think it is the car he wants. He has taken a violent dislike to the appearance of the Streamline car, therefore, it is no use trying to sell him one of these. The 'Cresta' or the 'Comet' would be exactly what he wants. For your private information we have now done 15,000 miles on the 8-cylinder car in France, and, in consequence, I have suggested that the 'Cresta' would be introduced to the public in the Spring. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Please write him direct to Cortachy Castle and send me a copy. Shall see him later. | ||