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).
Report comparing features of Lincoln, Daimler, and Ford V.8 models, with implications for the Spectre design.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 126\3\ scan0009 | |
| Date | 4th July 1933 | |
| - 3 - is tucked in underneath the cylinder block, and on the driver's side of the dash the column passes somewhat between the upper part of the pedals. This arrangement does not give quite the same slope of column to which we are accustomed, and we shall be faced with the same problem on the SpectreCodename for Phantom III, but it does give the simplest steering layout possible. The Daimler Co. at one time used intermediate bell cranks and rods to get the steering clear of the engine, but they have gone back on their modern chassis to the simple scheme again as on the Lincoln. The air silencer on the Lincoln is of quite small dimensions and appears to be fully effective. We should anticipate this as being one of the advantages of using 12 cylinders. We were unable to see any of the internal parts of the car or even the chassis, but were satisfied that the Lincoln is a good demonstration of the benefits of using 12 cylinders instead of 6, and that the SpectreCodename for Phantom III design as being developed should make a satisfactory installation, much lighter and more powerful. The American body fitted to the Lincoln and reported to have done a considerable mileage was dead silent and free from rattles. We understood the construction was mostly built up sheet aluminium, and the only place where wood was used at all in the roof was in the front upper part at the junction of the roof and screen. While at Dagenham I drove one of the Ford V.8. models and the most impressive thing about this car is the silence and smoothness with which it performs. With such a light overall weight, and the power and speed available the car is not entirely safe and requires a lower centre of gravity to make it sufficiently stable under all conditions. The Ford Co. have put the Canadian built 8 cylinder engine into the 4 cylinder Ford chassis for the V.8's that are being sold in England, but in the States the V.8 has an entirely new chassis of longer wheelbase. In the case of our J.3. chassis with F.2. engine we are aiming at getting this substantially lower than the present Continental Phantom, the transmission line being 1.5 inches nearer the ground and the body being 3 inches lower. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | ||