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).
Analysis of the American car market, comparing models across price points, features, and performance against other vehicles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 174\2\ img120 | |
| Date | 3rd May 1937 | |
| -2- Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}9/R.3.5.37. merchandise, but it should be borne in mind that there has been little loss of quality in the product. It has merely been simplified and lightened, and the cost reduced by tooling up and organising for quantities. A significant remark one often hears in American factories is "Well, we shall be able to make a much better job of that part when we get it on the big production line." Generally speaking, one can divide American cars into two classes, those below £200 and those between £200 and £300. In the below £200 class, there has been a great improvement in riding, controlability and braking. These were previously the three weakest features of the U.S.A. product. Engine speeds have come down slightly to give greater economy and durability, and longer wheelbases to improve the ride are fitted to several cars which has increased weight. The resulting lower displacement per ton mile has been counteracted by the improvement in engine performance, but generally speaking, accelerations obtainable in this class are not appreciably greater than last year. Smoothness has not been sacrificed with increased engine output. It is instructive to observe that of seventeen six cylinder cars sold in the States, sixteen are listed below £170, the odd one being the Packard which costs £190. It seems to be generally agreed that Americans will not pay more than £200 for a six cylinder car. In the £200 to £300 class a number of vee eights and straight eights are available, and in the Lincoln Zephyr a vee 12, list price £250. These cars are characteristically rather larger than the low priced class, and have considerably larger engines which gives them a superior performance. It seems to be a general practice to list a light car with a large engine, samples of which are the Cadillac 60 and Century Buick. The term 'large engine' is only used relatively as both these cars have units with capacities 30% less than that of the P.III. They have superior performance, however, by virtue of their weight, a series 60 Cadillac is 35 1/4 cwts, a light Continental weighing 53 cwts, or 48% heavier. Considering that no aluminium is used in these high performance American cars and that they appear to have much the same body space as the P.III, these figures give room for thought. | ||