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 detailing customer feedback on car performance, comparisons to competitors, and a concern about high-speed tyre bursts.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 80\1\ scan0071 | |
| Date | 18th March 1921 | |
| COPY OF LETTER FROM MR. DE SALAMANCA. ---------- Hotel Negresco, 37, Promenade des Anglais, Nice. 18th March 1921. Dear C.J., RE PADDON, Hotel Angleterre, Nice. Mr. Paddon of Paddon Bros., Albemarle Street, London (R.R. dealer) is here for some time. I am pleased to tell you that he is satisfied with his R.R. and had no serious complaints to make at all. We had a long conversation and I was able to find out his real opinions on R.R. We talked about various other cars. He said the Lanchester did not interest him at all. He thought better of the Napier and the device they have for stopping the rolling of the car on taking corners. He of course mentioned the classical R.R. behaviour on corners, - but said it without any idea of criticising. He loved the Hispano which he tried in London and said that if made by R.R. it would be the ideal car of which he has been dreaming for ages. His conclusion nevertheless was that the R.R's were the best and was awfully pleased with the new thermostat device. He had just had a new R.R. delivered with it and found it very good indeed. He was sorry not to have had time to bring it here instead of the chassis he has. The only point he asked me about very confidentially was one that I had already heard about since coming here this year and I think it is too important for me not to mention it. He asked me if I had ever had a front tyre burst at high speeds. He is terribly afraid of this happening, as he is of the opinion that should this occur one could not control the steering. I of course told him that I had had many, but without any such unfortunate results (especially when practising for the Grand Prix in Spain.) I should not be surprised if the unfortunate accident which happened to Capt. Capel last year near Tregus has given rise to this impression. However, if nothing of the same kind occurs again to other clients it is of no importance. I also saw, the day before yesterday, Mr. Patremotre (French customer and owner of chassis No. 996). Although he is pleased with his second hand car he complained to me regarding its condition when sold to him, about which I am writing Mr. Berend. He wants to buy a new Rolls-Royce and promised to write to me in a month or two about it. I should not be surprised if he ends by buying one. Yours sincerely, (Sgd) Carlos. | ||