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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 letter from customer Harold Lotery regarding a faulty new Phantom III.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 96\1\  scan0078
Date  12th March 1937
  
COPY.

By the Way,
Pinner Hill,
Pinner, Middlesex.

March 12th, 1937.

The Managing Director,
Messrs. Rolls-Royce,
DERBY.

Dear Sir,

Re 3-AX-105.

The other day I took delivery of one of your Phantom IIIs. and I may say that if I had had a Ford, perhaps I would have had more satisfaction.

It stalled and would not start, in the middle of Piccadilly, and this occurred before it had been 5 miles, and this morning, there was no spark in the engine at all.

Cricklewood informed me that it needs a new gearbox, and also that they should have had the car for a final test before I took delivery, but this is rather a lame excuse considering the same reason was given to me when 6 months ago, I purchased a shop-soiled Phantom II from you.

It is very easy for you in your adverts to say "Rolls-Royce - the best car in the World," or "Buy a car made in Great Britain" but I have been in many American cars, at a tenth of the price, without any trouble whatsoever, even after 10,000 miles, whereas I have done only approximately 10 miles in your latest product, and I might say that I am absolutely fed up with the whole thing.

Yours faithfully,

(Sd.) Harold Lotery.
  
  


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