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).
Halfshaft failure on chassis 3-AX-35, attributing the fault to the early Phantom III clutch design.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 89\5\ scan0169 | |
| Date | 8th March 1941 | |
| Bk.{A. Birkett - Commercial Manager} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} W/N. [Handwritten in red]: Customers cars Genl (1) Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}11/ML.8.3.41. [Handwritten in pencil]: 261(B) CHASSIS 3-AX-35 - LORD PROVOST OF GLASGOW. Re your Br/Bk.{A. Birkett - Commercial Manager}3/H.26.2.41. I have examined the halfshaft from this car. I see that it was one of the earliest Phantom III's turned out. You will remember that the early Phantom III. clutches were notoriously bad for jagger. Our experience is that a jaggering clutch will eventually fatigue halfshafts and break them off. We do not know when, if ever, the Provost had a thermoid lining fitted, but if he did many miles with the original clutch, I think it is fairly certain that this is the cause of the trouble. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||