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).
'Goshawk II' equipment, the drawbacks of fitting novelties like front-wheel brakes, and competitive positioning against Isotta and Delage.
| Identifier | Morton\M1.4\ img026 | |
| Date | 26th November 1921 | |
| To C.J. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} -2- R1/G26/11/21 Contd. "Goshawk II" full particulars of the equipment, which I hope SA. will consider quite satisfactorily up-to-date. SA. will remember that it would be quite unwise for any firm with our reputation to be fitting novelties which are not likely to come into general favour, such novelties are continually cropping up and fading away. (Often, however, circumstances will not allow us to change as quickly as it is possible with people making a new chassis or an entirely new firm. For instance, we believe that most people so far have done themselves more harm than good in their attempts to fit front wheel brakes. The harm is not serious if they have got nothing to lose. We believe that it is generally a better scheme to make a thoroughly good piece of work of the existing standard arrangements, than to make anything which is not likely to prove uniformly successful in untechnical hands during long periods of semi-neglect. This is being proved in practice to be so, i.e. those on the Isotta at our works were soon out of action.* *Messrs. Hives and Haldenby found a Delage of the latest type less than four months old, with the brakes quite ineffective.* I was very pleased to hear that SA. thought our 20 HP. good. I wish he would have a better opinion of us, and have more sympathy during our period of trial. Remember we showed the world how good a car could be made and how perfect an aero engine, both under trying circumstances. We believe if he will spend a little time on our "Goshawk II", and realise - (1) how much of it we have made. (2) its simplicity. (3) and its performance in the direction we think most desirable, he will restore his faith in the grandfatherly old R.R. Co. which makes cathedrals. I was anxious to see C. at the Show and have a little time with him, but I understood he was not in England. -R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||