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).
10,000-mile report on the springing and engine performance of a Phantom III Saloon Park Ward tested in France.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\3\ scan0206 | |
| Date | 20th November 1935 | |
| [Handwritten top left] X300a [Handwritten top right] Testers Dept [Crossed out] [Handwritten top right] USmith, Scott Martindale [Handwritten top right] Please note Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} [Signature] To. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} 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. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c to. Ep.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c to. Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} c to. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} PHANTOM III. 31. EX. Saloon Park Ward. Report at 10,000 Miles In France. Specification to RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}5 & 26/9/35 & 9/10/35. [Handwritten left margin] Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} Damper Rattles SPRINGING. The riding in the rear seats has not been as good as the previous cae tested here. The position of the seats over the rear Axle is a factor that we realise is worse, with this type of Body. There was continual jolting and unsteadiness at medium and high speeds on what could be considered good roads, with the damper control set to either maximum or medium. On very bad pavé, the ride in the rear seats was actually more steady. This could be accounted for by the fact that the damper movement being greater, was more effective. The ride in the ocassional seats apart from the hard cushion was more steady. The front seats riding was very good. For maximum speeds, the maximum damper control was necessary for control when braking. Driving up to 40 MPH, with minimum damper control gave a comfortable soft ride. The impression however that the car was not riding so soft may be impressed upon the passengers due to the rattles underneath, caused by loose fitting brake rope connections, brake rods vibrating, and damper connecting rods rattle. The fitting of the large 33 gallon Petrol Tank caused a boom in the rear of the Car. ENGINE. The power and acceleration has been good throughout the mileage. It was smooth up to a mileage of 7,000, when piston chatter developed. It felt rougher and was generally noisier. This became more noticeable as the mileage increased. Pistons started to knock starting up from cold after a mileage of 4,000, and became very noticeable towards the finish. There was no difficulty starting up from cold, providing that the controls were set correctly. The manipulation of the jet control was unsatisfactory. The lever was stiff and very jerky in action. There was no improvement with the fitting of weaker springs under the control jets. We had trouble with noisy tappets right from the start of the mileage, at first chiefly after a hard run, later other features developed. The fitting of the isolation scheme damped out noise generally heard in the front seats. | ||