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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).
Confidential memo regarding the purchase of competitor cars for analysis and comparison.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 20\11\  Scan005
Date  13th December 1911
  
CJ11/C131211.

[Handwritten in red ink] 99

December 13th, 1911.

[Handwritten] X180

Mr. Barrington,

Please note confidentially that I have purchased for the information of the Technical Committee a 38 h.p. Delaunay Belleville, a 45 h.p. Napier and a 40/60 6-cylinder Lanchester.

I have purchased the first because a very good judge of automobiles who has been on our cars, stated that he thought this was the best car he had ever been on.

The 45 h.p. Napier I have purchased because I want to ascertain to what extent they have got their axles quiet, and generally for the Committee to judge and to inform me how near, in their opinion, the 45 Napier approaches the Rolls-Royce cars which we are turning out at present.

I want the same things as regards the Lanchester, but the Lanchester should interest us particularly in reference to worm gear. They have been using it for so long a period that it will be surprising to me if we cannot pick up invaluable information from their practice.

The Technical Committee can take these cars to pieces after they have tried them, and they should be carefully examined by the head draughtsman with a

[Handwritten annotations on document: 'file', 'TB']

[Upside down text at bottom] R.R. 295A (10M) (1150X) (11/11) E.P. 462.
  
  


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