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).
Decision to name the new 40/50 HP car 'Phantom III' instead of 'Spectre'.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\1\ scan0034 | |
| Date | 31th July 1935 | |
| SECRET. X 300 C17/C31.7.35 S/W...For. c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} HY.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} c. to Eg. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} Re SPECTRECodename for Phantom III. Eg. has asked me to advise you that we have been considering the question of the name under which we will issue the new 40/50 h.p., and have decided on Phantom III, the reasons being:- (1) We like the name better than 'SpectreCodename for Phantom III'. (2) We think there is quite an appreciable amount of goodwill in the name of 'Phantom' connected with Rolls-Royce cars. (3) Our Main Retailers have practically unanimously told us that they prefer the name of Phantom III to SpectreCodename for Phantom III or any other name. C. | ||