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).
Overheating problems with 20-HP cars in Switzerland and the proposed investigation.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 24\4\ Scan143 | |
| Date | 13th August 1924 | |
| To W. from BJ. Copy to PN.{Mr Northey} BJ19/H13.8.24. OVERHEATING TROUBLE ON 20-HP CARS IN SWITZERLAND. With further reference to Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}/Mac{Mr Macintosh}5/DON26.7.24, to which we are awaiting a reply, we attach a further copy of a letter received from Monsieur M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Reverdin. There is no doubt we are getting into serious disrepute on the Continent, and especially in Switzerland and Italy, on account of Rolls-Royce Cars overheating as compared with other makes of car. We so often seem to hear now that people are trying to sell their Rolls-Royce cars because they are useless for ordinary travelling through moutains, whereas cars like the Hispano and other Continental cars, appear to give entire satisfaction. It seems very necessary that we should take this matter up immediately and thoroughly for three reasons : 1. Our 40/50 HP. should be altered as far as possible to make it suitable for abroad. 2. Our 20-HP ditto. 3. We want all the information possible to help us to design an E.A.C. which will not suffer from the same complaints and be useless on the Continent The only way of obtaining useful information appears to be for us to send out a really intelligent official from the Works to study this matter on the spot, and if possible we would like you to arrange for this official immediately to visit Switzerland and investigate Mr. Reverdin's complaint in the district where he is having trouble. We are very anxious to reply to Mr. Reverdin, telling him what we intend to do, as we received his first letter on the 17th July and we have not been able to take any definite action because the Works have been closed since we sent you Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}/Mac{Mr Macintosh}/DON26.7.24, giving further particulars of this case. We shall therefore be glad of a telegram saying when the man will be leaving, in order that we may telegraph to Monsieur Reverdin. The same official could arrange with our Agent, Mr. Schmidt, to be given an opportunity of trying other makes of cars in that district, to ascertain whether it is quiet true that they do not give trouble when driving under the same conditions. | ||