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).
Confidentiality and chassis modifications for a new 'Phantom' model, particularly a car for Mr. Royce.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 72\2\ scan0117 | |
| Date | 9th July 1925 | |
| SECRET. X8092 (handwritten and crossed out) To Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} from BJ. Copy to.....LHS{Lord Herbert Scott} (for CSC) (handwritten) Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} (handwritten) BJ20/H9.7.25. Re Barker All-weather for Mr. Royce. ____ With reference to Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}2/7.7.25. this matter has been receiving our careful consideration. Our chief object is to prevent it becoming known amongst customers that we are about to produce something which will supersede the present "New PhantomCodename for PHANTOM I", as if it becomes known, the orders for the present "New PhantomCodename for PHANTOM I" will stop, and we have many hundreds to deliver before the introduction of the underframe, etc. Although a few of the coachbuilders' officials may have already seen and heard of certain modifications, the fact of a chassis being in the coachbuilders' Works invariably leads to a larger number of workmen and customers seeing and hearing of these modifications. Unfortunately for us, modifications to Rolls-Royce chassis spread like wildfire, especially if it is known that it is a car for Mr. Royce; every busybody is of course anxious to see what Mr. Royce is going to have, especially if it is something different from the present chassis. Under the circumstances you mention with regard to the body, we quite appreciate that the body should be completed at Barkers, and we are endeavouring to make arrangements by which Barkers will be able to mount the body on the chassis. We presume that if Barkers have the underframe and some chassis drawings, it will be unnecessary for them to have the final chassis for some considerable time yet. What we fear most is the chassis lying about at the coachbuilders; while the body is being built on a sub-frame would not catch the eye of the inquisitive customers, agents, etc. as compared with a Rolls-Royce chassis which is not of the usual design. The chief difficulty with regard to having the chassis at the coachbuilders is the fact that it will have modified gear and brake levers, which would be very undesirable. The higher radiator and larger dash and bonnet would not be so noticeable, as some of these larger types have already been made for customers in the past. Presumably when the chassis is sent to the works the gear lever and brakes might be entirely removed and only fitted at the last moment. Are there any other points on the chassis which would then be different from our present chassis? Or do I understand from Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}6/EBN1.7.25 that the ordinary present standard gear and brake levers can be | ||