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).
Offer for lubricating oil and the policy of using specific formulations over proprietary brands.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\C\September1919\ Scan28 | |
| Date | 12th October 1919 | |
| To EH. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} Copy to 12 OCT 1919 RECEIVED ORIGINAL. RE LUBRICATING OILS FOR OUR ENGINES. Concerning the offer of Messrs. Dick for oil suitable for our engines, I do not think this offer is really of much value because no matter how good such people as Dick's may be it would be difficult for our customers to obtain the oil on the road or at their local garages. Secondly, we fear that the use of 25% of lard oil might not be satisfactory in the engine unless we have the assurance that it will remain in good condition. How we can obtain that assurance is very difficult, unless we can consult a chemist who is a specialist in such an industry. I certainly like Dick's method of stating what their oil contains, and feel sure it is the right policy in connection with oils, to work to a proper specification rather than a propriety article or brand which may vary in composition according to supplies available, and the policy of the manager of the firm. There is always the risk of a new manager arising with a different policy, who is keen to make money quickly, or thinks he knows better than the previous management, but when we are working to a specification, to a large extent supplies should be consistent and capable of examination in our own laboratory. You will see therefore I am not against Dick's supplying us with oil, but I cannot see how it will help our customers. You will also notice that in reference to the R.A.F. tests, they very much support my recent recommendation of putting castrol having 90% of saponified fat as probably the best oil (Contd.) Handwritten notes: X.1434 X.3182 (4) | ||