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).
Directive to cease the development and sale of high compression cars to preserve the brand's reputation for smoothness and silence.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 25\3\ Scan075 | |
| Date | 14th July 1922 | |
| To C. from CJ. To Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} from CJ. To P. from CJ. To H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} from CJ. To GOR from CJ. To B. from CJ. To Hulley from CJ. To Evans from CJ. To Sp.{Mr Spinney} from CJ. To Ss.{S. Smith} from CJ. Please note and inform all concerned that the Board at its meeting to-day decided that no further high compression chassis should be delivered by the Works to Sales unless and until the Works are able to demonstrate to Sales that high compression cars can be made which still retain the silkininess and silence for which R.R. cars were formerly remarkable. It is considered that the reputation of the R.R. car was largely made by the fact that it had a silkininess and silence and smoothness which could not be found in other cars and that these qualities must not be sacrificed because certain people want to go at 70 miles an hour instead of 60 miles an hour with the low-geared axle. Acceleration and hill-climbing appear to be excellent with the medium compression. The serpent of speed and power has entered into this Company and is likely to poison its existence. If a potential buyer insists upon having a high compression car, it would be better that we should lose his order rather than that he should take out in his car other potential purchasers, who have formerly been impressed by the qualities of silence and silkininess in the R.R. and who may be led to suppose that these qualities have been sacrificed by the Company. No orders must be taken for high compression cars. No instructions must be given to the Works for high compression cars. Any one encouraging in any way the making or selling of high compression cars will be regarded as an unfaithful servant of the Company and his services will be dispensed with. Furthermore, officers of the Company, who are engaged in testing chassis and completed cars, must bear in mind that it is not desired for one moment to deliver a chassis or car in which vibration is very noticeable. Such cars and chassis should not pass test. | ||