Development and road test comparisons of the Phantom III 33-EX car against other models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\1\ scan0080 | |
| Date | 19th September 1935 | |
| Sg. {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} or. Hx. Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} +300 19.9.35. PHANTOM 111. 33-EX. Replying to.Sg. {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} 1/E.18.9.35. Mx. {John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} , E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} , Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} , & Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} have gone over your memo. and have also carried out comparative tests on the road with 33-EX. car comparing it with Spectre(Codename for Phantom III) 1 Experimental car. It was realised by all that 33-EX. car was not put forward as a model of Phantom 111. It was known that there was more work to be done on the car to bring it up to the agreed standard for a Demonstration Car. The results of the tests today which have been made comparing Spectre(Codename for Phantom III) 1 with 33-EX. confirm that we can improve the car considerably as regards noise. We can guarantee that Spectre(Codename for Phantom III) 3 car when made with the best parts we know, will be more silent than Phantom 11. The items in paragraphs 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, are obvious faults which can easily be remedied. As regards paragraph 3 the speed obtained is what we should expect. It will be remembered that at a conference in Derby some time ago it was agreed that the first model of the Spectre(Codename for Phantom III) car should be the family type car and that the continental conversion would follow. The performance of the Phantom 111 is infinitely superior to the Phantom 11 under all average road running conditions. The maximum top speed would be very little different. We are certain it is increased acceleration which is required rather than higher maximum speed. We have the recollection that the first Bentley models were severely criticised by our own people because the top speed was not high enough but it is one feature that has never been criticised by customers. By the end of next week we expect that 33-EX. car will be brought up to the standard we expect from the first demonstration cars. We shall also have Spectre(Codename for Phantom III) No.2 ready about the same time before it goes to France and this car as regards performance, noise, etc., will be a model of the production. We would then like to have a proper trial with these cars against the Standard P.2 cars. | ||
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).