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).
Feedback from a trial of the 'Silver Ripple' 12-B-V, focusing on the gear lever position and rear passenger legroom.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 98\5\ scan0184 | |
| Date | 7th June 1939 | |
| H 50/ SECRET. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. " BV. c. " Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. " Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} re- "Silver Ripple", 12-B-V.{VIENNA} Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}5/KW/7.6.39. Arising out of the very short trial which I had the opportunity of making yesterday, during which I gained a very favourable impression of this car, it did occur to me to suggest that two points seem to outstandingly require further attention. One is the position of the gear lever, which does seem to me to interfere with the entrance on the offside. Seeing that we have successfully moved this out of the way on the Phantom, the Wraith and B V.{VIENNA}, we ought to be careful not to make it any worse on this car, and the entrance should be kept quite free. As it was on the car tested, it left a good deal to be desired from this point of view. The other feature was that when sitting in the back there seemed nowhere to put one's feet for anyone as tall as I am. In that respect it is not nearly as good as the Jaguar, nor I believe as good as the Bentley V.{VIENNA} is going to be. Of course, if we are to use B V.{VIENNA} bodies on this chassis, this should automatically right itself, but in that event one wonders why the body that has been built for the "Silver Ripple", is not so good in that respect as what it is intended to fit to this chassis. I merely mention this in order to keep the point in mind, so that it does not get overlooked. The matter is being carefully watched at Park Ward's in connection with B V.{VIENNA} bodies. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} | ||