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).
Comparing chassis 21-EX to a Phantom, noting improvements but also significant concerns about increased engine noise.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65a\3\ scan0041 | |
| Date | 25th June 1929 | |
| SECRET. HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} To Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to R.{Sir Henry Royce} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Bv. BP. C. PN.{Mr Northey} re Chassis 21-EX. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}5/E25.6.29 Referring to the above car which was sent up to London for Sales to try from the point of view of its being a sample of what it is intended to produce, I have now received reports from the various officials who have tried this car. I made an extensive run on this car to Derby and back, and generally speaking, except for one important point which I will touch on presently, I was very favourably impressed with the car from the point of view of improvement in the springing, improvement in acceleration up to 60 miles per hour, improvement in the steering and the general feel of the car from the point of view of the driver, i.e. it had a very much lighter feel to drive than a Phantom. I did, however, feel very much concerned about the increased noise emanating from the engine at practically all speeds but specially above 40 miles an hour, and in particular the boom or roar between 45 and 55. After this extensive run I next day used a Phantom and this latter point in regard to increased engine noise or disturbance on the "Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}" was particularly brought home to one when again using a Phantom. I purposely did not give my views to any of the officials as I wanted to leave them perfectly unbiassed before they tried the car, and it is noticeable on going through the reports that, whilst they practically all touch on the improve-ments referred to above, they all comment adversely on the feature criticised above. The general impression given is that, if we have to offer luxury cars for sale having the characteristics of this one in regard to engine noise and fuss, there would be very grave risk of our Rolls-Royce reputation for silence being seriously damaged and our production would fall into a category less desirable than that of some of our competitors who unfortunately during the last few years have been getting very near us, and on this point I might mention that only | ||