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).
Car preparations and personnel selection for a long-distance motoring event.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 142\3\ scan0112 | |
| Date | 1st February 1937 guessed | |
| 4. Preparation of the Car. cont. The longest distance to be covered between petrol depots is 300 miles or so, so that an extra tank holding 15-20 gallons should be fitted into the luggage compartment. It should be bourne in mind that on certain sections of the route the petrol consumption might be increased by from 10-25 per cent. owing to sand, etc. Cooling is of course important and the bonnet sides should be louvred. A small tank can be fitted in front of one of the spare-wheel wells in the wings to collect the overflow from the radiator and act as condenser. Petrol pumps should be fitted where they are least likely to be affected by the heat. The road springs might require strengthening owing to the extra weight of petrol and spare parts carried. It should be bornes in mind that there are stretches where extremely good going can be made, provided the springing will cope with corrugations on the road surface. Personnel :- I propose taking as "crew" of the car Mr. H.B. Browning, an old friend who is an excellent driver of nearly 30 years' experience. His strong point is that he is able to drive immense distances without getting sleepy. He has done several Monte-Carlo rallies and is thoroughly used to strenuous long-distance motoring. I should like the third member of the screw to be one of your technical men who is thoroughly familiar with the Phantom III and who is at the same time a resourceful and practical mechanic. He should also be a fast and safe driver, in excellent health and of a good-natured disposition. He should not mind working or driving at odd hours and should be able to remain cheerful even when short of sleep or food. In short, he should be an enthusiast who would regard it as a privilege to be sent on a run of this importance. | ||