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).
Tyre prices and supply agreements with various tyre companies.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 158\1\ scan0193 | |
| Date | 29th July 1938 | |
| SECRET. To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. Roy.{Sir Henry Royce} c. Roy{Sir Henry Royce}/Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} TYRE PRICES. Further to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}12/R.28.5.38. We had a visit from Worth of Indias today. He said that at last The India Tyre Co. had got agreement from the Dunlop Rubber Co. that they could work independently on prices. He was therefore in a position to quote in competition with other firms. We pointed out that as we had had no satisfactory reply to our letter of Feb. 1st. we had gon ahead and were now working with another Company. We could not, therefore, promise to give them future business even if their prices were competitive. He accepted that Indias had only their internal organisation to blame for the situation. The present position for the 6.50 x 17" tyre which is standard for 'M' series Bentley, is that we have nothing except India which we could possibly fit, since the newer tyres which are being developed by Avon and British Goodrich are not yet sufficiently advanced for standardisation. We pointed out to Worth that the lowest competitive price for this size was £1.15.0d. as quoted in Roy.{Sir Henry Royce}3/B.4.7.38, and this being so he agreed to supply tyres at this price if we renewed their contract for 1938-39. The previous price he quoted was £1.16.7d. With regard to tyres for the future, it would appear that the 6.50 x 17 size will be perpetuated for three years at least on the Wraith. The India people, in conjunction with ourselves, have developed a new cover which looks promising. If this should turn out to be in every way the equal of the Dunlop we are wondering whether we can give Indias the Wraith business at the price they have recently quoted, which is 4/6d. lower than the Dunlop figure, and continue with Avons with the object of getting a tyre for B.III and B.50. Dunlops can then retain the P.III business. | ||