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).
Improvements for Phantom chassis to address issues with riding qualities, sea-sickness, and steering.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 67a\2\ scan0084 | |
| Date | 23th December 1927 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} LHS.{Lord Herbert Scott} c. to OY. CWB. C. " SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} PN.{Mr Northey} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} /8240 R2/M23.12.27. PRESENT PHANTOMS - RIDING X. 8770 QUALITIES, SEA-SICKNESS, & X. 8410 STEERING. X. 8430 +8830 It is extremely desirable to make the best of the present chassis, and much can be done by insisting on the following practice by the coachbuilders: (1) Spare wheel and every thing heavy pushed back - i.e. battery, tools etc. (2) Avoiding high and top-heavy bodies, heavy central glass etc. (we are repeatedly told by coachbuilders that our London officials insist upon high roofs.) (3) Lower the car on the springs all that is possible, to avoid too frequent bumping on the rubbers - i.e. springs without packing, least camber possible, not too flexible, well damped. (4) Avoid where-ever possible upright steering columns; (B. type should if possible be scrapped), and high seats. (5) Use the long chassis without extra cost if it will avoid high seats and roof. (6) Examine coachbuilders drgs. and find if we are insisting that he keeps unnecessarily clear of our mechanism, including : is the floor as low as it can be, are we taking advantage of using thin wood or metal plates to get the floor down? I do all these things, and more in new work, but I am not satisfied that our production work is made the best of. I have lately seen our London trials cars where all the above have not been adopted. It is of no use my continually writing about this matter if nothing is done. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||