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).
Relaying negative customer feedback on the ride quality of the 25 EX and Phantom II models, unfavourably comparing them to the Phantom I and Silver Ghost.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 11\3\ 03-page316 | |
| Date | 29th November 1930 | |
| Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} / Rms TO H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} re L.H.P.II for USA. Copy to Wmr. C. BY Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} TH: RECEIVED 1 DEC 1930 I have received a long letter from Mr.Beaver regarding the extensive trial which they made with Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} I will not trouble you with a copy but I think that you should see the following extract: "The riding qualities of 25 EX are quite impossible, and as this was the longest, straight-through run for Mr.Rives seated on the rear cushion, which from the standpoint of comfort is the only place that counts, because this is the position of riding that pleases or displeases the man or woman who pays, he was able to observe and experience our problem. "Very frankly, all of us returned badly shaken up. Far more so than I have ever yet experienced in any of my long trips in a Rolls-Royce. "I am obliged to admit we felt sad. The Shrine at which all of us have worshipped these many years - namely - ROLLS ROYCE SUPERIOR RIDING COMFORT - is gone. "I can only repeat what I said in my letter of September 16th last:- 'When we impair this our greatest asset; i.e. - maximum comfort in riding under practically all conditions - we subject Rolls-Royce prestige to an awful blow in the belt. 'Our experience with Phantom II cars is that they do not ride nearly so well as our own Phantom I cars and we are dealing with a number of complaints on Phantom II cars which customers have imported. 'I sincerely trust that you and Messrs. Hives and Robotham will persist in getting the spring suspension and shock absorbers so that they will have that nice, longer, slow-period movement of springing, that used to characterize the Silver Ghost and which we have been able to duplicate to a very great extent in the Phantom I and still have satisfactory roadability.'" I have cabled to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} saying that we should like | ||