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).
Maintaining standard specifications on demonstration cars and the reputation risks of non-standard parts like disc wheels.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 106\4\ scan0057 | |
| Date | 25th March 1923 | |
| C.S. & To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from B.J. Copies to P.M. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} Departures from Standard on Trials Cars. ************** It has been laid down that no demonstration car shall be fitted with anything which is not our standard, and that we shall not supply to any agent a demonstrating chassis which is not our usual standard; also that we shall ascertain from each of our agents exactly what they intend to put on their demonstrating cars in the way of accessories and fitments, so as to prevent their having anything which is likely to do our reputation harm, or to indicate that our usual standard is not perfect. This matter will be discussed at to-morrow's Sales Conference. Kindly let me know if you know of any demonstrating car delivered or to be delivered which is not standard in every respect. A question was recently raised with regard to having a Bosch magneto fitted, and disc wheels. We know that fitting discs or disc wheels is definitely against all our interests, as they make our chassis distinctly heavy & noisy. Please let me know if there is any tendency on the part of customers to ask for discs or disc wheels to be fitted to their cars, especially 20 h.p. cars, where it is exceedingly necessary to uphold our reputation now that the car has just been launched on the market, and every car that is issued with discs or disc wheels will be definitely damaging our reputation and losing us orders. B.J. | ||