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).
Performance and market analysis of a 3.5-Litre Jaguar.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 126\5\ scan0042 | |
| Date | 28th March 1938 | |
| Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. Ey. c. HEC. c. DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. MX.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} Rml/R.28.3.38. 3½-Litre Jaguar. This car has now been run in, and we have obtained some performance figures, a copy of which we attach. This is a very much better car than the one we tried at the Jaguar factory which was an experimental model. Its performance is disconcertingly good; it is better than our 3½-litre Bentley for acceleration, and within a mile an hour of the 4¼-litre Bentley at top speed. The lap speeds are low on all the figures taken on the day in question, presumably due to an unfavourable wind. The body represents a new departure for S.S. being all-pressed steel. They were having considerable trouble with it last time we visited the factory. Evidently they are not quite clear of trouble yet as ours rattles. It is also very bad for wind noises. Previously we have always got very tired of Jaguar products after driving them any distance, but this new 3½-litre is in a different class. We do not doubt that the durability would compare unfavourably with that of the Bentley; we question, however, whether the ratio would be that of the respective prices of the cars. It appears to us that with such a car as a competitor, it will be difficult for us to get any volume of sales until we can offer a B.III car to the public with a standardised body at less than £1,000. We are sending the car to London forthwith. We are anxious to strip the car, examine and re-build as soon as possible so that we can dispose of it with the minimum loss. Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} | ||