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).
Road test report and comparison between a 20 HP model and a Phantom, including feedback from W.O. Bentley.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 57\1\ Scan226 | |
| Date | 21th February 1926 | |
| 12, Lincoln House, Basil Street, London, S.W.1. 21.2.26. My dear Briggs, I have done 300 miles in Phil Paddon's 20 over the week end and you asked me to let you know the result. It is a marvellous car BUT I cant agree that the performance equals the Phantom's as these 20 HP enthusiasts make out. Whether starting from zero, without a car one would pay £700 more for a Phantom, is another question, but as it is now, I dont think I would swop a Phantom for a 20, although I am prepared to agree that the 20 is nicer in many ways. Today I went to Norwich and back with W.O. Bentley and we agreed on the following. Granted that as a tout ensemble, it is marvellous. This one was coarse, and those who say it is, appear to be correct. It is rough when pulling through 23 to 25 m.p.h., the over-run is distinctly hard and very much so at 40 m.p.h. We thought the steering is geared too high, the smallest movement of the wheel gives you a lot on the road wheels. At high speeds and over rough roads, the front of the car wanders and flaps about from side to side. It might be due to the high gear steering or the springing. The front springing is not as good as the rear, which is the best of any car in the world, Phantom included. The 11/50 axle on this car is too low, for a light body such as this, 12/50 should be the minimum, possibly 13/50. A cut out is essential, much more so than on the 40/50. When pressing the car, the engine roars a bit. It is just then one opens the cut out which would drown this, besides the running of the 20 is a little more monotonous | ||