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).
Chassis damage and improvement suggestions for the Spectre III model after use in France.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\4\ scan0191 | |
| Date | 5th August 1935 | |
| X300a Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Les.1/KW.5.8.35. Chassis Information Gained from SpectreCodename for Phantom III III in France. (1) Set screws attaching front wing stays to radiator continually working loose. Set screws replaced by studs and nuts. These have since remained tight. Mileage 6000. (2) Damage caused by stones hitting parts at the rear of the chassis - (a) Connecting tubes for dampers and roll rod. Split pins and dirt protection shields for lower ball ends have disappeared. The tubes have been dented and bent. Suggest tubes of similar design to SpectreCodename for Phantom III X steering tube, also lower ball end raised 2", the tubes being shortened. (b) Attachment of rear axle to road springs. The nuts and bolt ends are being worn away. Lec.4139 shows the bolts fitted with the nuts at the top. Suggest a U bracket be used, similar to our standard front axle attachment, combining support for ball ends for connecting tubes. (c) Spring Gaiters. These are very badly cut from stones. Suggest metallic gaiters similar to Cadillac should be tried. (d) Shock damper casings. These are marked by stones, particularly the brass plugs. As the casing is thick at this point and the plugs need never be removed, we suggest a stone shield is not fitted until a casing actually fails. A stone shield would increase our difficulty in cooling dampers. | ||