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).
Improvements and ongoing issues with the Phantom II Diamond Mounted Engine Chassis, focusing on 'front jellying' and suspension.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\3\ Scan313 | |
| Date | 11th March 1932 | |
| Wem. c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X7.960. EPS/H.11.3.32. re. PHANTOM II. DIAMOND MOUNTED ENGINE CHASSIS. 60-JS.{Mr Johnson's Secretary} Definite improvement has been obtained by the alterations we have made to the chassis, i.e. the radiator mounting, engine suspension and also special "shimmy-shackle" on the front off side spring. There is some doubt as to whether the actual amount of movement on the front of the frame has been improved, but as the jellying of the radiator has been overcome, and also the steering much less inclined to joggle and be unstable, we certainly take the view that this feature is not now really objectionable any more than occasional previous cars have been, and we should therefore carry on our deliveries. PN.{Mr Northey} tried the car, and although rather disappointed with the front frame movement, agreed that there was no alternative at present, and stated that he would put the car in commission for a time and note its general behaviour. We consider the "front jellying" feature only likely to exist on Continental type cars. In taking tests of a further diamond mounted new car, fitted with a rather heavy limousine type Hooper body, 61-JS{Mr Johnson's Secretary}, no alterations having been made to the chassis since it left the Works, the jellying, so far as the radiator and front of the car was concerned, is quite satisfactory. There are certain boom periods on 61-JS{Mr Johnson's Secretary} which, although not so bad as the Phantom II. car prior to the diamond mounted engine chassis, are still there, and we are arranging for action to be taken in this car not to disturb the radiator fixing, but to improve the engine mounting similarly as was done on 60-JS.{Mr Johnson's Secretary} It must be borne in mind, however, that 61-JS.{Mr Johnson's Secretary} is a non-subframe car. In discussing this matter with Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} and Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} we certainly consider that with the experience we now have, action should be taken at once to rectify the engine mounting job on all chassis concerned. The radiator mounting job should not be tackled except on four of the chassis delivered which are Continental Model type, and therefore may probably be similar to 60-JS.{Mr Johnson's Secretary} CONTINUED:- | ||