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).
Securing a 'Phantom' order by modifying the steering to be less 'spongy' for an important customer.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\2\ Scan108 | |
| Date | 3rd April 1929 | |
| Y4117 PER BAG. S/W. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [Redacted] Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}2/W/3.4.1929. Confirming my conversation with you on the telephone this morning, I think I made it clear that we had succeeded in securing an order for a 'Phantom' from a very important customer, against the 6-cylinder Bentley, provided we can reduce the sponginess of our steering. The owner wants more direct effect when moving the steering wheel, which is best indicated by the fact that when driving along at, say, 30 mph. one can possibly oscillate the steering wheel from 6" to 8" during which time the car will maintain a perfectly straight course. Our customer feels that when the steering wheel is moved to that extent, there should be a definite alteration in the direction of the car enabling a finer judgment to be exercised when steering at speed. If you can possibly send down the necessary parts for temporary modification of the steering in that respect of 89.KR. on which our customer has already had a run, and of which he has already expressed his approval except for this point, I think we shall be able to get his definite confirmation of the order. We must, however, be sure that whatever we do will bring about the desired result, as we shall not be able to bluff him into it. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} Lark | ||