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).
Vehicle endurance test, detailing performance, journey plans, and technical feedback.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 114\4\ scan0093 | |
| Date | 16th April 1937 guessed | |
| -2- Furthermore, having succeeded completely in what we have undertaken it would not be risking an anti-climax in the form of possible trouble on the way back. Hamilton, in my opinion quite rightly, felt that it was up to him to satisfy me that the car could be looked over and made fit for the return journey after only a few hours work on it, while I felt that I ought to complete my side of the bargain by getting plenty of films and photos of the route and conditions, which we had not time to do on the way down. We are, therefore, proposing to leave here on Sunday morning, which should get us back to Algiers somewhere about April the 8th. As I have to be back to cover an important race at Donnington, I propose flying back the last stage from Algiers to London in order to save two days. Even apart from the publicity value of a run such as this, I think the trip has been well worth while as an experimental run. If the lessons learned on it are adopted to make the Phantom III a still better car, there is no reason why they should not be sold for use in any part of the world, however rough the conditions under which they will be used. Perhaps you will be good enough to tell Park Ward's that their coachwork has stood the journey in an absolutely marvellous manner. There is not a rattle in the bodywork, it is completely dust proof and the finish is entirely unaffected even by sun temperatures of 140 degrees. I would also like to take this opportunity of telling you of the splendid behaviour of H.B. Browning, who has always put his own convenience in the background in order to ensure the success of the trip, although, as you know, he derives no personal benefit from it. It is largely due to his own energy and enthusiasm that we have decided to attempt a return journey. After all, we do feel that we know where the worst stretches lie and can drive accordingly. P.S. The car fully laden scales 3 tons 17 cwt. of which 23 cwt. are on the nearside rear tyre. So I do not think Dunlops can really be blamed. But they should have let me have the big tyres which I asked for in the first place. | ||