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 addressing customer dissatisfaction with a car's pressure system and discussing potential solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 77\4\ scan0024 | |
| Date | 4th September 1919 | |
| COPY. X.3503✓ Copies Bn{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington}, EWC, JCR, and E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} X.3482 Sept. 4th, 1919. OY6-F4919. Mr. R.W. Schuette, 785 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Dear Sir:- RE MR. F.{Mr Friese} C. HENDERSON. 1. Replying to your of Sept. 2nd. Mr. Caswell is interviewing Mr. Henderson and his driver tomorrow (Friday) morning. I understand that Mr. Henderson makes frequent changes of drivers, and has so far not obtained one who could even change gear satisfactorily. 2. Mr. Caswell is going to do a little missionary work tomorrow with Mr. Henderson's chauffeur, and will probably be able to obtain a new man for him shortly who will be better able to handle the car. He hopes to convince Mr. Henderson that the pressure system has been suffering from neglect. 3. Please bear in mind that this system is entirely different on 58-NA{Mr Nadin}, and the causes of dissatisfaction are not the same. The trouble from the old system results largely from release valves, which have become worn during the many years that the cars have been in use. New release valves will shortly be obtained from England and the old ones will be replaced where ever necessary. 4. At the last overhaul of Mr. Henderson's Car, his pressure stood up for 48 hours. Mr. Caswell will see tomorrow what has occurred since then to make the pressure system go wrong. 5. Whilst admitting the advantages of the vacuum system in certain respects, I do not think that it would be sound policy to replace the pressure system extensively with the vacuum system with our cars, in which the induction vacuum is not high, failure is liable to occur with the vacuum system when climbing hills. 6. I write this in full knowledge that one or two Rolls-Royce owners in this country have fitted the Vacuum system with satisfactory results. 7. We will therefore make another attempt to get Mr. Henderson's pressure system right, and later if he insists on the vacuum system, we will fit it ourselves, on the distinct understanding that we cannot guarantee that it will be satisfactory, and that our recommendation would be fit a new release valve as soon as one can be obtained from England. Yours very truly, ROLLS-ROYCE LTD. | ||