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 the Managing Director's office of SS Cars discussing engine testing and a potential claim regarding a Bentley engine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 126\5\ scan0114 | |
| Date | 24th April 1939 | |
| TELEPHONE: 8681 (10 LINES) TELEGRAMS: JAGUAR COVENTRY MANAGING DIRECTOR'S OFFICE SS{S. Smith} WORKS HOLBROOK LANE COVENTRY 24th April, 1939 E.J.W. Morley, Esq., Messrs Sanderson & Holmes, Ltd., London Road, DERBY. 25 APR 1939 Dear Mr. Morley, I thank you for your letter dated the 21st inst., together with further communication which you have received from Rolls Royce. I cannot help but feel that Mr. Robotham does not look upon this matter in quite the light in which I think it should be regarded, and he has not stated what would be the position if we had smashed up one of their engines on tests which we were carrying out for our own edification. Quite frankly, in such circumstances, I do not think we should have considered making a claim, for we always regard whatever tests we carry out here, as being our own responsibility. We do, on occasions, try other manufacturers' cars, and subject them to very severe tests. Mr. Robotham is fully aware that there is quite a possibility that a Bentley engine, subjected to the same tests, may have had a major failure, in spite of the fact that he advises you that they have not had this experience with any of the competitors' cars which they have tested during the last five years. - contd., - | ||