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).
Comparing road test impressions of two vehicles, Spectre I and Spectre II.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 4\1\ 01-page330 | |
| Date | 17th April 1935 | |
| H3 +300 To W.Gr.{George Ratcliffe} From Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to R.H.S.Mk. SECRET. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} and I, as you know, tried SpectreCodename for Phantom III I and II. It must be borne in mind that the run was a very short one, distributed over two cars and over a road a large part of which is subject to the 30 miles an hour limit. Our impressions were that the general feeling of SpectreCodename for Phantom III I was good, the general feeling of SpectreCodename for Phantom III II was bad. First of all, the steering - in the limited trial given the steering of SpectreCodename for Phantom III I seemed delightful; the power and silence of the engine also very good. On SpectreCodename for Phantom III II the steering is definitely stiff - in fact not much better than my Phantom after the Marles steering was taken off and the standard put on. If this is the result of our improving the American-made Marles Steering and making it ourselves, I only hope it means that it is because we have not yet learnt how to make it! If you and B. could make comparative tests, stepping from one to the other, you would not need to drive more than a quarter of a mile to appreciate our criticism. The engine of No.II would be quite unacceptable with its roar and noise. As regards springing, the run was too short to express any opinion of value, but No.I car did seem to be definitely too free in movement. I should like to make a more extended trial at an early date and propose coming up to Derby on the night of the Board Meeting day, May 2nd, so that I can devote the Friday morning, before the Annual General Meeting takes place, to this purpose. As No.I car shows that we can get the steering and engine right, I want to make sure that No.III car is right in these respects before it goes to France. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||