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).
Future car development, engine configurations for the Phantom II Continental and J.III chassis, and performance improvements.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5\1\ 01-page152 | |
| Date | 26th April 1933 | |
| SECRET. COPY. Y 5770 To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} FN. re. 20/25 HP. and P.II Cars. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}8/E26.4.33. *777* I am in receipt of Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1/MJ.25.4.33. I quite agree that within the next 12 months or more both the above cars will have to have an improved performance in order to maintain their position and sales. The question of pushing along with the development and testing of J.III has already been discussed at recent Derby conferences and also was further discussed when I recently met you at Brooklands. I note you are busy preparing a specification for this car, making certain that it incorporates all the necessary modifications, and I quite agree that it is important that this work should be pushed on with. In regard to the P.II Continental I have noted with interest, the suggestion made that we should adopt a new policy with this car and that you suggest our putting a P.II increased bore engine into a J.III chassis and make it into a Continental chassis, giving us the benefits of reduction in weight, lower and better appearance, reduced cost and presumably considerable improvement in performance. Whilst this matter certainly has my sympathetic consideration I do not feel that I ought to give approval without first knowing that the matter has been thoroughly discussed and agreed to by all concerned, including design in particular, because in a way it amounts to making a new motor-car. I have discussed this matter with Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} in London and he will arrange as soon as possible after his return to Derby to have a conference with all concerned on the subject in order that the matter may be thoroughly discussed and a line of action agreed upon. The point that strikes me at first is that it seems rather extraordinary if a J.III chassis from the point of view of strength and stresses, i.e. back axle etc. is capable of withstanding the power and increased performance which would go with the fitting of a Continental Phantom engine into it instead of a J.III engine. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||