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).
Proposal to modify the steering on 20HP and Phantom models to lower the car's appearance and improve handling.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\S\2April1928-June1928\ Scan041 | |
| Date | 21th April 1928 | |
| ORIGINAL DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.) HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} REC'D AT WW. & DESPATCHED R3/M18.4.28. 21. 4. 28. C. to BJ. WCR. PN.{Mr Northey} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} C. SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} PHANTOMS. X7430 [handwritten] 78430 I like DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}'s idea of treating the above like I had arranged for the 20HP. to improve its appearance - i.e. to cancel the upright steering ('B'),which I am sure would make it more popular with the chauffeurs as well as others, and in future have 'C', 'D', & 'E', the last being a new one, and ought to suit sports cars. By these means the highest car will be 2" lower, and with "SS{S. Smith}" 4" lower than present 'B' steering Phantoms. It will be understood that this is the only way we can get a lower appearance without robbing the road clearance. All the 'B' cars must of necessity make a sudden and ugly scuttle. It must be realised that better riding and steering qualities are obtained by this move, exactly as in the 20HP. India 3. I fear however it must wait for "SS{S. Smith}", but it will be realised that this move can be done at once, and is of very great urgency - no 10,000 miles are necessary. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||