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).
Performance and handling comparison between a purchased 8-Cylinder Packard, a Buick, and the Phantom III model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 127\1\ scan0240 | |
| Date | 1st November 1935 | |
| X1086 To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} re 8-Cylinder Packard. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}7/E4 11.35 Copy to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} F.{Mr Friese} RV. Referring to the above car, which we have purchased, with straight 8 engine of the size used in America as distinct from the smaller engine sold over here, Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} and I gave this car a short run the other afternoon and, whilst it is some time since we tried the Buick, I think our feeling was that it was not such a nice car generally as the Buick. It has a special and very interesting form of independent front suspension but the ride is not of course anything like as good as the P.III. One must, however, bear in mind that it is a light car. We tried it over the hump-backed bridge on which we have tried the P.III and it was very bad indeed. We went over in both directions at 30 miles an hour and considered the result to be absolutely dangerous. The steering seems to be very good indeed and quite free from all joggles. You will remember that, when I last tried P.III on the fast bit of road near the Hatfield Aerodrome, I commented on the joggles and E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} said that the joints in the cement surface accounted for this, but on the Packard these joints in the surface were unnoticeable on the steering wheel. The ratio is lower than our P.III but we did not consider it to be too low and, in view of the fact that E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} mentioned the other day that, to obtain equal results with the American cars, we should probably have to have a lower ratio, I should like this matter specially investigated. I have had the ratios checked up from the point of view of turns on the steering wheel and the position is as follows: Packard - to obtain full right lock from straight - 2 1/4 turns of the wheel. to obtain full left hand lock - 1 3/4 turns of wheel plus 2". P.III - the respective figures are - 1 1/2 turns and 1 1/2 turns plus 1". | ||