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 regarding the storage location and suggested quality improvements for the Bentley tyre pump.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 149\5\ scan0154 | |
| Date | 19th October 1933 | |
| S/W. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Lid.{A. J. Lidsey} x 2/s 993 re- Bentley Tyre Pump. Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}3/KW19.10.33. I rather gather from paragraph 1 of your Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Lid{A. J. Lidsey}2/KT14.10.33. that you are under the impression that the Bentley tyre pump is carried under the bonnet. I am at a loss to understand this, because as far as we know no Coachbuilder has so far even tried to accommodate the tyre pump under the bonnet, in fact I would go so far as to say I think it would be impossible to do so neatly. The usual position is in the luggage locker, where it is sometimes secured to the lid{A. J. Lidsey}, sometimes in a well under the floor and in at least one case on the floor of the luggage locker. This last position we do not agree with and have advised the Coachbuilder accordingly. But wherever it is it is necessary to have it in clips otherwise it would rattle and here is where the damage to the painted or enamelled barrel sets in. We do not doubt the efficiency of the pump nor its weight, and I do not think the alterations we suggest would seriously affect those two points nor should they seriously affect the cost. As it is,in our opinion,it looks too cheap not only because of the black finish of the barrel but also the big wooden handle and the miserable foot grips. We do think at least we should have better looking foot clips and a plated barrel. We should therefore like to hear further from you on this shortly. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} | ||