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 discussing manufacturing chassis for the American market and the viability of the 20/25 model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\4\ Scan191 | |
| Date | 11th September 1930 | |
| Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}7/E11.9.30 - 3 - On my return to England, therefore, I put a damper on progress being made with the left-handing as it seemed to me at that date it was useless proceeding and that we had best await the result of the two propaganda cars which were being sent out with a view to the market being tested. Very probably you and Mr.Fuller will think that we should go ahead irrespective of the fact that I was definitely told no contract would be forthcoming, but the position, as I see it, is that by reason of the 1919 contract we should be placing ourselves in a very difficult position if we were to go ahead and manufacture a chassis specially suited for the American market without a contract, because if, for any reason entirely outside our control, your Company when the chassis were ready, were not prepared to take deliveries, we, on the other hand, should not have a free market in which to sell them in practically the only country for which they were suitable. On reflection I am sure you will appreciate that this is a position which our Board of Directors could hardly accept. The question, therefore, arises that, if your Company are really keen on the 20/25 and believe, as I stated at the Board Meeting which I attended in New York, that it is necessary for you to have this additional line in order to enable you to increase your turnover and so help with your overhead expenses, it is essential for your Board to consider and decide what they are going to do in regard to the matter. Trusting that you will give this matter your attention, Yours very truly, [Signature] Mr.H.C.Beaver, Of Messrs. Rolls-Royce of America Inc., Springfield, Mass. USA. | ||