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).
Accident involving car 15-EX and the clarification of instructions for test drivers.
| Identifier | Morton\M10\ img052 | |
| Date | 11th April 1928 | |
| XL499 To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from BJ. Re Accident to 15-EX. BJ4/E11.4.28 R.{Sir Henry Royce} writes as follows:- "I have not yet heard what was believed to be the cause of the accident, but I am glad it was not during the trials when the drivers appear to understand it is the management's instructions that they must cover distance in time, certainly I have never given such instructions and I think no one else has, but it might be good to have it clearly understood what we did expect in these trials, my views we are out to learn the effects of the worst treatment a reasonable owner would allow his car to be given on rough Continental roads, in effect to drive the car with as little consideration for the car as reasonable comfort of riding in it will allow, i.e. not drive to save the car but to save the occupants and naturally other users of the road. "I did not hear of the accident until Dodd found it in an English paper several days afterwards and up to the moment have had but one very short note from Mr.Hives." Please let me know what instructions are given to drivers in regard to speed or distance. BJ. | ||