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).
Internal correspondence regarding a customer's request for a high-speed Phantom model capable of 85 mph.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 4\8\ 08-page26 | |
| Date | 13th December 1926 | |
| S/W. To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Copy to St.{Capt. P. R. Strong} Ok. X469 PNB/EH.13.12.26. I have had a long interview with a Mr. Harris, who is a very keen motorist, and who has owned most cars including at least 7 or 8 Rolls-Royce cars of different years. He is interested in buying a car at the moment, but it must have one definite characteristic, i.e., that of being able, in an emergency or on occasion, to pass any car of a standard description which he might meet on the road. This really means that he should have a car capable of running up to not less than 85 miles per hour on the level. I have explained to him our policy in respect of high speeds, but he certainly will not decide to buy a Phantom from us unless we are prepared to give him an axle of somewhat higher gear ratio than our standard, and so far as we are concerned, we should wish to select a specially good chassis, from the point of view of performance, free engine, etc. I am proposing that we should supply an axle having a 16-tooth pinion, and Mr. Harris will have a stream line type of narrow open touring sporting body. I have no experience of the Phantom running light and stream-line in this manner with a 16-tooth axle, and I want you to tell me, please, as soon as you can, what you have found on experimental work in this connection. Is it likely that we could depend upon a speed of not less than 85 m.p.h., or can you make any suggestion which would help us in connection with this enquiry. I am giving Mr. Harris a demonstration run on our Open Phantom, 103-HC, on Wednesday next, when probably he will be run up to 75 m.p.h. P.N PN.{Mr Northey} | ||