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).
Design improvements for the Phantom chassis to enhance ride quality and handling.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\R\October1927-December1927\ Scan154 | |
| Date | 23th December 1927 | |
| HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} ) FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} ) (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.) DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} ) C. to BJ. WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} LHS.{Lord Herbert Scott} OY. OWB. SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} PN.{Mr Northey} B. [STAMPED: ORIGINAL] R2/M23.12.27. [STAMPED: RECEIVED & DESPATCHED FROM WW. 29.12.27.] PRESENT PHANTOMS - RIDING QUALITIES, SEASICKNESS, & STEERING. [Handwritten: X8770, X8410, Y8430] 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 everything heavy pushed back - i.e. battery, tools, etc. (2) [Handwritten and crossed out: glass] Avoiding high and top-heavy bodies, heavy central 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 drawings 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} | ||