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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).
Secret memo detailing disappointment with the performance of the Spectre III prototype, particularly its engine and noisy tyres.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 91\4\  scan0025
Date  17th June 1935
  
SECRET.

+300a

To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} re SpectreCodename for Phantom III III.
Copy to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}E.

Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}10/E17.6.35

This was tried on Friday last by C., Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}, Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} and myself.

I am sorry to say that we were all rather disappointed with it. I certainly was definitely disappointed as compared with my test of No.1, about which I wrote some time ago.

The slow running was very poor. The power, acceleration, general feeling of liveliness and maximum speed were not good enough and nothing like No.1.

The tyres were very noisy. I noticed they were Goodyear and I really fail to understand why we put these tyres on. Surely we should give the car the best chance we can, and in any case, why Goodyear because we should take a lot of persuading to fit them.

Hancock told me that the engine was a new one which possibly may have something to do with its being generally down on performance as compared with No.1.

Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}
  
  


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