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).
Market analysis for introducing left-hand drive cars to the American market, comparing models to competitors.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 124\4\ scan0070 | |
| Date | 6th December 1939 | |
| c. sent to Mr Inskip, America SECRET To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} LH.{Mr Haworth} file Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/6.12.39. RE LEFT HAND CARS FOR AMERICAN MARKET. We are engaged in designing a left hand edition of the Silver Phantom as produced for the English Market. Without any further work, when we have completed this, a left hand edition of the other models in the Senior Range will be available without any further design work. After an analysis of the American cars of high price, we have endeavoured to decide which of our models will have a competitive appeal to the American, and also to discover whether they have any serious dimensional handicaps. It is appreciated that the Bentley and Corniche of the 6-cyl. or 8-cyl. type will represent to America a new class of car and have no immediate counterpart. The Silver Phantom with its wheelbase of 133 inches we feel will have to accommodate chiefly custom-built coach-work of the small series type, embracing the 7 seater bodies to be found on the following American cars:- V.16 Cadillac 90 - W.B. 141 ins. - 7 seater. Formal Sedan. V.8 Cadillac 75 - W.B. 141 ins. - 7 seater. Formal Sedan. Super 8 Custom Packard W.B. 148 ins. Cabriolet and Town Car. Super 8 Custom Packard W.B. 138 ins. Formal Sedan. Buick Limited 90 - W.B. 140 ins. Sedan. Since the Silver Phantom dimension of dash to front wheels may be expected to be greater than the average equivalent American car, and the wheelbases of those quoted are greater, one is forced to conclude that the Silver Phantom will not have the body space of its American equivalents, unless the rear seat is further over the axle, which is the case. For the four/five seater cars, we feel we shall need the Silver Dawn 80 (Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}'s special) to compete with such cars as the following in general accommodation:- Packard 120 - W.B. 127 ins. - Coupe and Sedan Buick Century 60 - W.B. 126 ins. - Phaeton and Sedan. Cadillac 62 - W.B. 129 ins. - Sedan and Coupe. ENCLOSURE NO 422 "DUSTSO" | ||