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).
Difficulties encountered during the body mounting on the first Spectre Chassis 30-EX.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 92\1\ scan0016 | |
| Date | 24th August 1934 | |
| Copy 304 Secret Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} To H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints}[...].........from EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Copy to Der.Hdy.{William Hardy} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Evl/IH.24.8.34. re:- SPECTRECodename for Phantom III 30-EX. Having now practically completed the mounting of the body on the first SpectreCodename for Phantom III Chassis 30-EX, we would like to tabulate our experiences in connection with the difficulties arising from the chassis:- (1) When the wing stay has been fastened to the wing and both are put on the chassis, a set spanner cannot be used on the wing stay attachment to the base of the radiator and a special box spanner is required to tighten up the nuts. The flange on the inside valance at the front wing which carries the apron, if made to drawing, fouls the transverse brake operating rod on the nearside. We have raised this flange and in consequence of the fact that the apron cannot be raised, it will be necessary to modify the height of the dead-eyes for the apron fixing. (2) The bonnet valance piece extending from the radiator to the dash and carrying the bonnet fastenings, etc., have had to be made with a deepened vertical outside aluminium strip, as the one made to the drawing did not extend low enough at the rear to fill in the space above the wing; as this vertical piece comes down around the spare wheel carrier feet it has to be cut out in such a way that the wheel carrier can be bolted to the frame after the valance strip has been fitted, because it cannot be put into position when the wheel carrier is on the chassis. Because this vertical strip at the centre is so near the frame and in the front is over the frame, and it is impossible to get behind it, we have found it necessary to attach dead-eyes to the inner face for the attachment of the wing by means of set screws. (3) The front apron as made has no vertical flange on the nearside and offside edges. We do not think this matters on the first car, but such a flange is shown on the drawing. After seeing the apron in position, we thought it looked too flat and that the roll on the front edge had a too small radius. We have modified the apron to give it slightly more curvature on the top, keeping the height of the back -1- | ||