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).
Suggestions for improving the sporty appearance and proportions of the Continental Phantom.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\1\ Scan299 | |
| Date | 15th November 1933 | |
| S/W. SECRET. x7120. To.......Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}, C. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}2/IH.15.11.33. re: CONTINENTAL PHANTOM. Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} has mentioned to us that he would like us to consider suggestions for improving the sporty appearance, and, if possible, the performance of our Continental Phantom. Whilst we may be able to do certain small things to its appearance, we can do nothing of real advantage until the limitations imposed upon us by the out-of-date chassis frame are removed. We realised these limitations some months ago and prepared N.Sch.4712 (23.3.33) showing a revised third cross member of sheet metal and a revised lay-out of brake ropes which would enable us to get long and deep wells for the feet of the rear passengers instead of the very shallow ones which are now possible. You have fitted these up on 27-EX, which was a replica of 26-EX, the first Continental, which has a body at least three inches shorter than that we are now fitting on our Standard Continental. We think that 27-EX will demonstrate that although we have the small body, which in the case of 26-EX was considered too restrictive in the leg room of the rear seats, with these modifications we shall have given the rear passengers more room than they now have on our Standard body. If we could return to this shorter body, we think that the balanced appearance of the car would be immeasurably improved. We feel that since the early Continentals, like the 26-EX and its replicas, through having to elongate the body, we have spoilt the balanced proportions of the car. We would like to make an effort to get these modifications introduced on the Phantom at a date which will cause no undue inconvenience to production or Stock bodies. We would point out that these modifications could go on both the long and the short chassis, as they do not interfere with the production of a perfectly flat floor for a Pullman Limousine. Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||