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).
Proposals for new car models, pricing, and market positioning.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\2\ scan0037 | |
| Date | 12th November 1938 | |
| -2- (B) Introduce B.50 at £1250 with a Rolls-Royce Radiator. This leaves the position open for B.50 when it is ready, but would undoubtedly affect the Wraith market. Possibly it may be considered too early after the Wraith announcement to introduce a competitor, but it could hardly be anything but an improved financial proposition. This car would be unlikely to compete with the Silver Wraith if the latter had, as we hope, an 8-cylinder engine. (C) Introduce the B.V. chassis with an R.R. radiator as a complete car at £1250. This would certainly disturb existing sales least, and could be made more profitable than the Bentley as an excellent performance up to 85 M.P.H. could be given without the wear and tear occasioned by the 95 m.p.h. max. speeds. Also it would not be necessary to indulge in Aluminium wings and panels. We believe there is a market for a small Rolls-Royce that a lady can drive with ease. This market has not been provided for since the original 20 H.P. Rolls-Royce. It has the advantage that there is no corresponding American car. With the reduction in duty, American competition is going to be serious. We suggest that some definite decision should be arrived at without delay so that, after B.V. we shall know that we are concentrating our efforts on the right car. Personally, we should be relieved if we could get a better frontal appearance before B.50 is introduced to the public. Naturally proposal (A) is easiest from a development point of view, but since the R.R. radiator and bonnet have already been applied to the rationalised frame and instructed for the Silver Wraith, it ought to be possible to release material to the Works for either schemes (B) or (C) by July 1939. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||