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).
Investigations into overheating complaints on three Phantom III cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\1\ scan0018 | |
| Date | 24th September 1937 | |
| To Rolls Royce Ltd. Derby copy to ........Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Std. copy to ........Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} copy to ........Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} Levallois Sr/VA4/GM.24.9.37 re: COMPLAINTS of PHANTOM III OVERHEATING Your memo Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Std.3/AP.18.9.37 --------------------------------------- We are very surprised at the contents of your memo because we were unaware that we had removed MKVI matrices from the cars which we have attended to. The following is our full report upon the cars on which we have fitted new and reconditioned matrices :- CHASSIS No. : 3.AZ. 20 OWNER : Continental Trials car MILEAGE: 33826 Kms. date: 6.8.37 When the car was driven at high speeds a water temperature 100 ° C. was reached, after a fairly short run. As the speed was reduced when boiling point was reached there was therefore very little loss of water. This car has not been used very much in dense traffic. Fitted a re-conditioned Mark V.{VIENNA} matrix sent to us by Works in case n°. I4816, (Please refer to Works memo to us D/BP/WHIO/DH.{D. Henderson - Showroom}13.8.37 ). Time in service of original matrix :- 19.8.36 to 6.8.37 . --------------------------------------- 3.AZ. 52 MR Lionel de ROTHSCHILD 9250 miles 23.7.37 COMPLAINT :- Overheating when car was driven in mountainous districts, we sent a mechanic to Brides-les-Bains to attend to the car, he fitted an E.87239 MK.VI matrix sent to us in case N°. I4359 which overcame the owners complaint. We sent full report to 'C' and to "Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}" and 'Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}!. Please refer to our Sr/VAIO/GM.27.7.37. As this car was sold in England, we cannot state the time of service of the original matrix. --------------------------------------- 3.AZ.140 Mr. BENHAIM 24130 Kms. 29.7.37 COMPLAINT:- Overheating when car was driven at high speeds no complaint of loss of water, owner also informed us that about 95° C. was reached when the car was driven in traffic. This owner often makes very long trips on the Continent. We tested car on the straight at speed on a fairly warm day and soon reached 100° C. We fitted an E.87239 matrix marked Y.28.E sent to us in case n°. I4753, the new matrix has the wider (44) vertical waterway strips. Owner is now quite satisfied and says that ... all conditions the te...s not exce... | ||