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).
Outlining specifications and proposed modifications for the Sports Phantom model.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\Q\July1927-September1927\ Scan129 | |
| Date | 15th September 1927 | |
| . HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} C. to BJ. " WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} " BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} ORIGINAL R4/M15.9.27. X8774 X8940L X4663 SPORTS PHANTOM, AND NEXT 10,000 MILES CAR IN FRANCE. This is to be one and the same car, but a second and third sample exactly similar should be produced at the same time. Most of the features embodied in these chassis will be used in production cars should they prove satisfactory, and superior to the present standard. (1) BODY. (a) FORM. The novel features, principally referring to the tail, which seems advantageous over anything we have had before, is due to Mr. Evernden, and I have asked him to prepare a drawing of improved construction to produce the same form. There will be no need to make a mock-up as the shape will not depart from that already made for 10-EX., but the construction we indicate may be found useful to the coachbuilders in producing the actual body. (b) SCUTTLE. I have suggested that in this, and several other bodies, we try the effect of a damper attachment between the scuttle and the dash to prevent the objectionable and ever present feature of a jellying scuttle. (c) WEIGHT. Concerning the weight of this body, elsewhere I have written that it must not exceed 7 cwts. with upholstery. splashers, hood, windscreen, and spare wheel carrier. (d) SUPPLY. You will see that I am quite satisfied with the shape of the body, but not with the construction and weight. I will discuss with Mr. Johnson my suggestion for getting some of these bodies made. The performance of the car is passably good, but it is advisable to make the following modifications, in addition to those contained in R1/M9.9.27* and R1/M10.9.27*, before commencing the 10,000 miles trial, the object being to increase the acceleration, and to make the chassis safer and smoother. * (Roneo's copies attached) (2) FRAME. This has already been lowered 1" at the back: we now propose to lower it 1" at the front by altering the normal camber of the springs to 1" negative camber instead of the present standard of ½" negative, and to maintain the running deflection of about 3", reduce the rubber buffer ¾" to ½", and to remove the aluminium packing between the spring and the axle. When this is done the car will be level, and 1" lower than present standard. It is also intended to make the test without the tierods. (1) | ||