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 delivery of high-compression chassis to preserve the car's traditional qualities of silence and smoothness.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\2\ Scan101 | |
| Date | 14th July 1922 | |
| X4299 To C. from CJ. To Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} " " To PN{Mr Northey} " " To R.{Sir Henry Royce} " " To WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} " " To EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} " " To Hulley " " To Evans " " To Sp{Mr Spinney} " " To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} " " X. 634 X. 4299 X. 2565 CJ5/E14.7.22. Please note and inform all concerned that the Board at its meeting today 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 silkiness 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 silkiness 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 to be excellent with the medium compression. The serpent of speed and power has entered into this Company and is likely to poison its existance. 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 silkiness 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 service will be dispended 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 contd: | ||