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).
Progress report on the 'Spectre' model, detailing issues found during a 10,000-mile test in France and planned remedies.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\1\ scan0120 | |
| Date | 18th October 1935 | |
| FILE X300 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}23/KW.18.10.35. SpectreCodename for Phantom III Progress. The SpectreCodename for Phantom III at present running 10,000 miles in France has left with certain points which are definitely open to criticism. Those which we appreciate and are now at present working on are as follows :- (1) Tyre noise. (2) Steering. (3) Clutch. (4) Chunking in the drive. (5) Carburetter inaccessible, slow running, and starting. (6) Greater silence of valve gear, and reduction of engine fuss in the body. (7) Finalising the cooling system. It must be appreciated that at the end of the hot weather in France at the completion of the 10,000 miles test, the cooling system proved itself to be inadequate, and that the carburetter system did not function satisfactorily, particularly with regard to slow running and starting. The conditions, however, were such that these faults were shown up very clearly Carrying the vent from the float chamber to the intake silencer has we hope overcome the starting trouble. The fitting of a more efficient radiator and more efficient fan will undoubtedly contribute towards better cooling. Our main concern is that there will be no chance of proving how successful our efforts have been, at any rate in Europe, for about 8 months. There is a considerable difference between the car now running in France and those being demonstrated. It may be questionned why this is so. The answer is not because development work has not been proceeding intensively, but because a great deal of work has had to be done. Briefly summarising the development of the last 12 months - | ||