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).
Secret memo from BJ to H. proposing the introduction of an attractive sports body car to boost sales and overcome a difficult financial period.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65a\1\ scan0147 | |
| Date | 27th October 1927 | |
| To H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} from BJ. SECRET. BJ2/E13/10/27 - 2 - 6. Immediately the new standard chassis is launched, the super-sport car could follow if it is then still desirable. 7. What I feel would be very much to the Company's interests is for me to be permitted to have a short talk with you on whether you could help us over our present difficult stile during the next financial year, by finding a way by which we can introduce a car with an attractive sports body to sell next year. After discussing details with Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}, we believe we have a solution well worth your careful consideration, when it is borne in mind that, if a solution can be arrived at, it probably represents £50,000 profits in the 1928 financial year. This car will in no way delay the quick progress of alterations in the standard chassis. 8. I believe we can sell quite a number - possibly 50 extra cars - next year if we put out of our minds for the moment any great speed but simply place the new and most attractive WW sports body with a low wind resistance on our present standard chassis, with certain minor alterations which Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} can explain. This would be the same position as we have been in during the past many years, namely, that we, our customers or agents could have placed such a body on our standard chassis. Such a car with a lower wind resistance would go faster than our ordinary big bodied RR cars, and purchasers would be quite happy. I believe the type of person who buys such cars does so far more to be seen swanking about in a racy-looking machine than because he really wants to go at 90 miles an hour. If you agree, I will try this scheme and feel confident of its success, as we shall tell customers it is only our standard chassis and not intended to be anything except a touring car with a light body. The Alpine Eagle cars sold in the past because they were something different and exceptional, and were bought by the type of person who likes that kind of distinction, much more than because they were fast, as they were not really super-fast. I do hope you will be able to agree and help us in this way over our difficult - but I hope - temporary financial state. In the autumn we can produce a car still faster ( a super sports | ||