Arrangement of cars and parts for testing in France, including the 'T' Series and a Phantom.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5a\1\ 01-page146 | |
| Date | 18th May 1931 | |
| Y 5770 To Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Sg. {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} re Tests in France. Sg {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} 8/E18.5.31 Copy to Hcr. I am in receipt of Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 6/MJ.14.5.31. I note that you have no car which you can use as a model for the second half of "T" Series. I have, therefore, arranged with Cx. {Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} to send you up GNS.2. This is a new car fitted with a body made by Mulliner's of Birmingham. It was a sample of the less expensive type of body which was not approved and, therefore, is not a very easy car for us to sell. Whilst I understand that you are going to make it into a model of the second half of "T" Series, I am wondering whether it is necessary to go to the expense of incorporating in it items which have already been tested for 10,000 miles on 18-G-4, especially if the items are such as would necessitate considerable expense. I have in mind an item such as the timing gear idler wheel being offset. If you will look through the Minutes of the meeting held at Derby last week you will see that there are one or two others which come under a similar heading. I should be glad to know how soon you expect to have the car ready for tests to begin. Time seems to be the all-important factor if the running of the car is to serve any useful purpose. In regard to the series to follow "T" Series, i.e. "V" Series, I agree to the recommendation to build two new experimental chassis of this type as soon as the specification has been agreed upon. In regard to the bodies, if, as I hope, there will be no alteration to body dimensions, then we can easily find bodies quickly but if there is to be an alteration, then we cannot really start until we know exactly what it is. Re Phantom car to be sent to France primarily to try the effect of rear engine feet being removed over bad roads etc., I note you will use 25-EX for this purpose and that you will send me a list shortly showing what other items you propose to fit to this car for test purposes. Sg. {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||
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).