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).
Customer's Phantom II performance issue and potential solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\3\ Scan114 | |
| Date | 2nd July 1931 | |
| X4117 S/W...Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} to Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} PN.{Mr Northey} ------- C7/C2.7.31 Re 43-GX...BARONEMPAIN. Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} writes that you have recommended the fitting of the high compression cylinder head on this car in order to give Baron Empain the extra speed he requires. The history of this matter apparently is that Baron Empain has two Phantom II cars, one of which is a Continental model, No. 43-GX, and the other is 161-GY. On a recent run from Brussels to Paris, with the two cars apparently doing the same journey, the Continental model only showed 80 m.p.h. and the other 82 m.p.h. I have discussed this matter with Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and PN.{Mr Northey} and it is felt that possibly 43-GX is not doing as well as it ought to do, for other reasons. We understand that unless the wind resistance is less there is no reason why it should do any higher top speed than 161-GY. At the same time we are very anxious to get this customer happy, and Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} suggests that the question of giving more power is really one for Derby to decide, and we are wondering whether, in view of the fact that GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} is at Chateauroux you would be able to spare him to go up to Paris to try this car and satisfy himself that everything has been done and the only way to get any improvement is to fit the new type head. We think the speedometer might also be looked to, certainly so far as top speeds are concerned. Perhaps you will please let me know if you can arrange this or whether you think it better to send a man out to France from Derby, and he could take the new type head with him to fit if he finds it necessary. We would, of course, prefer that the job should be done by GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} if possible. C. [Handwritten annotation:] Chateauroux [Stamp:] RECEIVED 8 JUL 1931 | ||