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).
Modifications to a Sports Phantom to achieve 100 MPH.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\P\2October1926-December1926\ Scan063 | |
| Date | 17th November 1926 | |
| TO HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/RM.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} FROM DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} SPORTS PHANTOM DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}2/M17.11.26. V9714 x8830 We thank you for HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/LG11126. In view of your remarks we have looked into the question of how we can achieve the features required. At present the 100 MPH. car, according to R.{Sir Henry Royce}, is EAC. 9. or 10. This of course is years off, and might have any sort of engine. It is therefore difficult to do any design work in connection with the 100 MPH. car until the chassis reaches some sort of definite proportions. We do suggest however that we might be learning, and for this purpose we might use 10-EX, which is now at the coach-builders awaiting modifications. From the point of view of speed it would be waste of money to fit the wings at present suggested on N. schs. 2252/3, as they are no better than those on the car already. We have made a sch. for modifying 10-EX., which we are submitting to the coachbuilders, and if they agree that the work can be done we propose approaching R.. We have achieved the following points - (1) The chassis frame approximately 1" nearer the ground by reducing the bumps front and rear by .6 and 1" respectively, and using stiffer springs. This we believe will be essential on high speed cars. (2) The steering wheel is in the same position relative to the dash as for D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} steering revised, but is 16" from the top of the frame instead of 20". This will enable the screen and the hood to be 4" lower than at present. hood detachable. (3) The back of the body is removed and the tail carried out like the Lorraine, being made to swallow up the petrol tank, match up with the undersheet at the bottom, and carry the spare wheel and tools. This we believe Barkers could do. (4) Splayed birdlike wings which are passably effective in shielding one from mud, but offer the minimum of fluid resistance. (6) Complete undersheet stretching from the radiator back as far as the rear spring centre fixing, or further if the torque tube will permit. (7) Sloping Vee screens only a few inches high, no split glasses, screen wipers being fitted to both sides. (8) No runningboards, but streamlined steps. (9) No handles on the outside of the body. We think this covers most of the points raised in your letter, and suggest that this might produce a car which, while not reaching the 100 MPH., would certainly do what 10-EX. did without front wings, and screen open, and possibly more due to the pointed tail. We would be glad if you would give us any information which you have on this subject with a view to enabling us to make the best job of the modifications, should we be permitted to carry it through. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} EW | ||