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).
Unsuitability of wire wheels for the American market and customer preference for wood wheels.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 42\5\ Scan002 | |
| Date | 16th September 1919 | |
| COPY Rolls-Royce Ltd., 15 Broad St.{Capt. P. R. Strong}, New York. OY1/F16.9.19. Sept. 16th. 1919. BN{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} from OY:- copies to J, JCR, RWS, and EWC. RE WHEELS ON IMPORTED CARS. (For summary see end.) 1. There is a rooted prejudice here against wire wheels in the minds of a large number of our customers. Of the first 40 customers on Mr. Schuette's waiting list, 14 definitely specified wood wheels, and of these perhaps half will refuse to accept the car unless so fitted. Of the other 7, one or two will probably demand wood-wheels built for themselves. 2. Again, the wire wheels we are fitting are not suitable for American conditions, because the soft beaded edge tire, 895 X 135, is not replacable in the more distant parts of the country. We find that even where we sell a car with our 895 X 135, wire wheels, it often returns to the Service Station after a year, either with wood wheels with detachable rims for American straight sided tyres, or with wire wheels of a similar type. 3. It is no good sending over wood wheels from England because the wood shrinks in the drier climate and the wheels have to be taken apart and rebuilt after a few months. 4. Therefore, after a consultation of this matter with Mr. Schuette and Mr. Caswell, I wish to strongly urge you to meet the requirements of the customers (as detailed to Conduit Street by Mr. Schuette in his regular order slips) with regard to wood wheels, by sending over cars on which wood wheels are specified, with the hubs only in place, allowing us to have American size wood wheels fitted with Brewsters or other reputable body-makers. At present Mr. Schuette has been informed by Conduit Street, that only 895 X 135 wire wheels can or will be supplied on imported cars. 5. We have no example over here of failure of wood wheels, in fact they seem to have given less trouble than wire. 6. It is actually not much use to send over cars Contd:- | ||