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).
Rear wheel arch clearances on the Phantom II, addressing tyre rubbing issues and the need for modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 14\8\ Scan201 | |
| Date | 2nd January 1930 | |
| S/W. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. to Her. c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} c. to Ey. +7380 Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}15/D2.1.30. Re: Rear Wheel Arch Clearances - Phantom II. Referring to Evl/21.12.29, BY/Cgh{W Clough}17/G.23.12.29, and Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/MJ.1.1.30, there seems to be some little misunder-standing in regard to this matter, possibly due to Ey's memo mentioning that it was desired to cater for Fort Dunlop Tyres being used, and Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}'s memo mentions that we desired to cater for all cars to have wheel arch clearances modified to take India tyres. Such is not really the case. I have been looking into the matter, and the position, as reported to me, is that with our present standard clearances and standard silent tread tyres the back tyres rub on the sides of the bodies under quite normal conditions. Extensive tests have been made to show that such really is the case. We are now making it clear to customers that they can have either the buttressed non-Fort or silent tread tyres, and, as you know, the dimensions of the former type are of a nature which means that the side clearances would be a little worse with these tyres. It, therefore, appears to be necessary to make the clearance slightly greater at this point, if only to cover the fitting of buttressed standard type tyres. I hope this makes the matter quite clear. Will you please arrange accordingly. I understand there is also a point in regard to brake drum clearances which has been agreed. Will you please have the revised coachbuilder's blue prints put in hand as quickly as possible and supply us with copies so that we can issue them. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||