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).
Letter from the Ford Motor Company providing feedback on a trial run in a Bentley.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 88\1\ scan0028 | |
| Date | 22th November 1933 | |
| x7961 Ford Motor Company Ltd. DAGENHAM Essex. TELEPHONE: RAINHAM 300. TELEGRAMS: FORDMOTOR, TELEX, DAGENHAM CABLES: FORDMOTOR, DAGENHAM PLEASE ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COMPANY. IN YOUR REPLY PLEASE QUOTE DEPARTMENT No A-2 W A Robotham Esq Messrs Rolls-Royce Limited Experimental Department Derby 22 November 1933 Dear Mr Robotham: I have just seen your letter of the 20th instant addressed to Mr Macintosh, and am extremely sorry that owing to forgetfulness and pressure of work I quite omitted to write to you regarding the trial run in the Bentley which you so kindly let me have a fortnight ago. Please forgive the apparent discourtesy as it was quite unintentional. I was frankly amazed at the general silkiness of the car. One felt that one had to keep a sharp eye on the speedometer in view of such deceptive speed. The road holding qualities surpassed anything I have ever experienced. The steering was lightness itself, and I never thought that brakes could be so powerful without engendering skidding or "tail wag." I cannot criticise any engineering feature on the car at all, in fact it is very difficult to find any feature that merits criticism in such a superlative piece of machinery. Assuming, however, that you would like to know any unfavourable reaction I experienced, I can only think of one of a very minor nature namely the appearance of the radiator. It seems to me that it would be possible to do the car a greater justice by giving it a better looking front end. This may savour of impertinence, but it was the only adverse comment which many of my friends in the automobile industry, together with ladies who are keen motorists, made when they saw the car. With kind regards and many thanks. Yours very truly A R Smith [STAMP: NATIONAL SCHEME FOR DISABLED MEN] ALL STATEMENTS OR AGREEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS LETTER ARE CONTINGENT ON STRIKES, ACCIDENTS, FIRES, OR ANY OTHER CAUSES BEYOND OUR CONTROL AND ALL CONTRACTS ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE SIGNATURE OF A DULY AUTHORIZED EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THIS COMPANY. CLERICAL ERRORS SUBJECT TO CORRECTION. | ||