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).
Short test report and feedback on the American Phantom I car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\3\ Scan222 | |
| Date | 21th March 1930 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} x7772. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}9/H21.3.30. re. AMERICAN PHANTOM I. CAR. Having made a short test of the above car, I am certainly favourably impressed so far as it compares with previous American cars which I have tried and also with our old standard of Phantom I. car. As regards the engine, except for the torque reaction which is rather general when picking up and aggravated in its intensity by the body, the engine is nice and smooth up to 40 mph. Above this speed a certain fussy noise takes place. There are also certain signs of bus knocks or slight piston knocks, retard booms and high speed sting etc. The engine is inclined to detonate when picking up. The engine starter is very quiet, which certainly makes our present Phantom II starter, in comparison seem very noisy. Starting up from cold is not very good, the starter carburetter is too strong or the carburation is affected by the throttle not closing properly. The noise from the servo is bad and would not normally be passed. The gears are certainly an improvement and normally quite good, but suffer from being rather noisy and uneven when running slow speeds light load conditions, which is bad for traffic use. The side shaft is also distinctly uneven when starting up from cold. There are also occasional signs of jaggering from the servo when applying the brakes. It is also interesting to note that there are no signs of clanking in the drive when running on the gears and de-clutching. The steering seems quite good up to about 40 mph. but about that speed becomes somewhat unstable and joggles badly. One appreciates the improvement in our larger diameter thin rimmed steering wheel. The springing is very good and I should say would suit 85% of our customers. There is no harsh condition of riding, but some customers would complaint that the car was not quite stable enough and more damping is required. The car is remarkably stable as regards absence of jellying. CONTD:- | ||