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).
Potential developments for the Phantom chassis experimental work, covering steering, shock absorbers, bonnets, and the petrol feed system.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\N\October1925-December1925\ Scan137 | |
| Date | 10th December 1925 | |
| R.{Sir Henry Royce} R.{Sir Henry Royce} 235A (100 T) (S. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} 159. 11-8-20) G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 2800 TO HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} Copy ORIGINAL PHANTOM CHASSIS EXPERIMENTAL WORK. X8770 X2917 There are a few things that might be crossed off the experimental list - (1) (a) Marles steering, (b)the various pitches of steering screws, as we are quite satisfied that the one we have adopted is as far as we can go both as regards speed of steering and irreversibility. (2) The next point is front friction shock absorbers. We think that these will probably give way to the latest type of hydraulic shock dampers, so that it would be unwise to spend much money on the friction type at present. (3) Regarding louvred bonnets, we assume that these will only be used in special cases of hot climates. I think it would be a great pity to adopt them generally, principally because of the noise. It is considered however that we ought to fit shutters as our standard practice. We are not quite satisfied as to the relative value of the front and back shutter. (4) As regards the petrol feed system it does not seem at all difficult to make a small vacuum pump suitable, as your temporary adaption of the old pressure pump seems quite as satisfactory as the connection to the induction pipe. We are not quite sure where the vacuum pump should discharge its air, probably just below the undershield. Naturally one would like also try whether this discharge could be put into the carburetter suction. It would be less risky from a fire point of view, and might be so small and gentle as not to affect the running of the engine. Perhaps you will report on this. R.{Sir Henry Royce} [STAMP: RECEIVED 14 DEC 1925] | ||