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).
Complaint from Mr. Rapson regarding the replacement of his tyres with Dunlops on the Maharajah of Vizianagram's car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 39\1\ Scan188 | |
| Date | 7th September 1926 | |
| To N. from BJ. Rapson Tyres. BJ7/E7/9/26 We have had some difficulty in finally settling the matter concerning the Maharajah of Vizianagram's car and the removal of the Rapson tyres in favour of Dunlop tyres. Mr.Rapson called to-day and was very emphatic that we removed the Rapsons and fitted Dunlops full well knowing that even with Dunlops steering troubles arise, and from tests recently made at Brooklands, now that the Dunlops have worn, serious wheel wobbles have set up. Therefore, he contends that it was not the Rapson tyres that were really at fault. Care should be taken in dealing with such matters in future that it is clearly set out to the customer that he might wish to try the effect of fitting our standard tyres instead of Rapsons and later, if he selects the Dunlop tyres, a letter should be written to him confirming that the selection was made by him and not at our instigation, as otherwise Mr.Rapson will have a further grievance and will take legal proceedings against us. Also in all such cases a full report should be sent to me. It is quite appreciated that Rapson tyres, so far as we know, are often seriously out of balance and are not as good in some respects as Dunlop's. Therefore it is to our advantage to have Dunlops fitted. The position now, however, is that the North British Rubber Company are making the Rapson tyres and it is expected that they will be considerably improved in balance etc. For his this reason we have agreed to test them again as shown in the attached. BJ. Attached: Copy of BJ6/E7/9/26 | ||