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).
Declining the use of an experimental car for an outsider, citing risks to sales and brand reputation.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\1\ Scan072 | |
| Date | 4th September 1923 | |
| X4117 To Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} from BJ. Copy to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BJ11/H5.9.23. Mr. J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} Wortley Fawcett. Wd{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead}4/NJ4.9.23. I am sorry that the car you suggested is unsuitable for Mr. Fawcett's use, but feel sure you will agree with me that it is inadvisable for anyone outside our company ever to see one of our cars on which there is any experimental part showing. News of any contemplated alteration on a Rolls-Royce car spreads immediately, and prevents people from purchasing cars from us until the anticipated improvement has been included (although we may never include it.) Also, it is of course inadvisable to permit any outsider to use one of our cars unless it is the very best that we can possibly produce in regard to the comfort of the body. An uncomfortable or untidy-looking body usually creates a bad impression. These impressions are passed on to friends, even without meaning to do us harm. B.J. | ||