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).
Letter from S. Smith & Sons discussing the difference between a bespoke hand-made instrument and a cheaper mass-produced 'Watford' fitting.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 62\2\ scan0196 | |
| Date | 27th April 1933 | |
| 105 86135 CONTRACTORS TO ADMIRALTY, WAR OFFICE & AIR MINISTRY ENGINEERING ALLIED EMPLOYERS NATIONAL FEDERATION 1896 TELEPHONE: GLADSTONE 3333 (10 LINES) TELEGRAMS: SPEEDOFAC. PHONE. LONDON. S.SMITH & SONS (Motor Accessories) Ltd CRICKLEWOOD WORKS LONDON. N.W.2 BY APPOINTMENT TO HIS MAJESTY THE KING CABLES: SPEEDOFAC, LONDON. CODES: MARCONI, COMMERCIAL, BENTLEY'S. BRANCHES AT PARIS MILAN SYDNEY WELLINGTON AGENCIES AND SERVICE STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE BRITISH EMPIRE AND IN ALL THE PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES SHOWROOMS & DEPOTS 179-185 GT PORTLAND ST LONDON W.1. 26-33, COX ST LIVERY ST BIRMINGHAM 14A JACKSONS ROW DEANSGATE MANCHESTER 19, WEST REGENT ST GLASGOW DUBLIN & BELFAST Please quote our reference: S.l. SALES DIRECTOR'S OFFICE. 27th April, 1933. H.E.West, Esq., Messrs. Rolls-Royce, Ltd., DERBY. Dear Mr. West, Mr. Manwaring has reported his conversation with you concerning 5" instruments from which I gather that you have a "Watford" fitting on test. If you are interested in a cheaper design of Speedometer on "Watford" lines we shall be only too delighted to submit an instrument for test. We can, of course, show an appreciable saving on this type of instrument but there is a marked difference in the calibre of the two instruments. The A.T. instrument is a very special product, almost entirely hand-made to your special requirements, and the other is essentially a mass-produced instrument, manufactured down to a price. Perhaps you will very kindly let me know your wishes in due course. Yours very truly, [Signature] SALES DIRECTOR. | ||