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).
From 'R' to 'BJ' discussing the Blue Sports Phantom 10-EX model, its performance, marketing, and future engine development.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\Q\July1927-September1927\ Scan018 | |
| Date | 11th July 1927 | |
| TO BJ. FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} Copy to - HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} re. THE BLUE SPORTS PHANTOM. 10-EX. My dear BJ., This will be available for Sales to test in about 10 days. I would like Dodd (our Works Exp. driver) to demonstrate it to you, and whoever is interested, (if you wish) before you take it over. It was sent with our staff to the Air Pageant, and they say it attracted an immense amount of attention - quite a good advertisement. There are many cars got up as sports cars which 10-EX. would beat, even while retaining its smooth and docile character. We have only made it semi-sports, so as not to depart from RR. qualities. As far as my judgment goes we could sell some of these with advantage to our reputation and finance. It would counteract a frequent statement which classes us as slow and old fashioned, and somewhat with Daimlers'. This is not speed mania, but increased performance of acceleration, braking, etc. with a sporting appearance, but a car that can be driven everywhere on top gear, and quite unlike a racing car, which is just what we want to shew our superiority over speed cars. That is, if we can get a semi-sports car without sacrificing anything, then we have done well. I don't say we have done this, but we have done something and lost very little. To achieve the whole objective without any sacrifice I want more cylinders, though up to now the eight in line is not good enough (in other ways) in any specimen we have seen. The only thing we are tempted to suggest is the 12 cyl. Vee - like our aero engines - made of two 'twenties', but I am hesitating to suggest this at the present. At the moment we are working hard at riding and steering qualities, principally less weight on front wheels, but we are first in the hands of the coachbuilders to get best out of present conditions, then we are waiting for EAC.7/10. which is urgently desired; though it is very like the 'twenty' it will be superior because of what we have learned, and because it is a larger model and will naturally ride better. You will see that we had a full and progressive day with HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} on Friday, which I hope will bear fruit in many ways. I have a friend from Canada (Mr. Geo: Campbell) to lunch on Thursday next (14th.) at the Cafe Royal, and should be very pleased if you could join us: (Nurse will be there.) Could I go afterwards to see PN{Mr Northey}? I am not sure if he is in London. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||