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).
Status report on Phantom III experimental cars, detailing work on clutches and steering systems.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\4\ scan0346 | |
| Date | 11th July 1936 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} x200 General Car Position. Phantom III. 15,000 miles Car. 32-EX is back at the Works. We are taking the undamaged parts off this car to bring 35-EX up to date, and propose to transfer the engine unit complete to 35-EX after inspection. 35-EX can then continue endurance running. Clutches. Our main concern now is to determine how the clutch we have standardised turns out in service. We do not think it will suffer from the fabrics being flung off as happened to 34-EX, but it may not continue to give a smooth take-up under London traffic conditions. We have developed another centre plate which gives somewhat better results and propose to fit this to 35-EX. and let it do London traffic work before it goes to France. We are awaiting with interest a report on 34-EX clutch, as this is a trials car and should get plenty of service, and is now fitted with the latest parts as being fitted to cars on test. Steering. We think we have demonstrated that the virtue of the LaSalle steering is mainly in the fact that it has more spring in it than our own. This is a disadvantage when driving at high speeds on highly cambered roads. It will be remembered that the worst criticism of the Cadillac car fitted with a similar type of steering was that it was not directionally stable at high speeds. We think we have made the best compromise that we can with the present Ph.III parts, and cannot get the basic improvement required until we get the new front suspension pieces which are at the present moment three-parts machined. These pieces are progressing reasonably well in view of the present congestion of the Experimental Dept. machining section. | ||