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).
Secret memo discussing the policy and risks of introducing an improved sports chassis and its impact on standard model sales.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65a\1\ scan0148 | |
| Date | 13th October 1927 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from BJ. SECRET. BJ2/E13/10/27 - 3- model) to sell to those who really want super speed. 9. From a policy point of view, we must take no risks of any action which might seriously affect the sale of our standard chassis during next year. If we introduce a sports chassis with a number of obvious improvements and show it to the public, they will naturally say: 'Rolls-Royce Ltd. are bound to put these improvements into their standard chassis soon. Therefore, we will not buy their present standard chassis.' Others will say to us: 'Why do you put these improvements only on the sports chassis?' and we shall have no reply. Therefore, we must introduce such improvements only when we are in a position to do so on all our chassis. 10. We had all greatly hoped that the chassis sent to me at Frinton would be final as it differed comparatively little from our present standard chassis, and was quite good enough as a complete car to sell to the public so far as Sales are concerned. 90 m.p.h. is a far greater speed than will be used on the roads - and this car is for roads and not a track racer. 11. Another point requiring careful consideration is that when we introduce the improved xxxx standard chassis it is very desirable that it shall include all improvements at once, as otherwise it makes sales extremely difficult for our agents and ourselves, as xxx every time an improvement appears it marks all previous unsold chassis as out of date, and we either have to alter all the unsold chassis or sell our customers something which we know has since been superseded. 12. Then when this so greatly improved Phantom is on the market, and the necessarily large expense of introducing it has been faced, we can settle down to a few years uninterrupted manufacture and we hope get the Company once more firmly on its feet. 13. I am glad to say that there is no delay being caused in regard to making jigs and tools as Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} says he is not ready yet and will not be for some little time to make these xxx actually, but of course the design of them &c. will continue in the meantime. BJ. | ||