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).
Summary of customer complaints regarding overheating issues with Phantom III vehicles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\1\ scan0019 | |
| Date | 24th September 1937 | |
| -2- Complaints of Phantom III overheating Sr/VA4/GM.24.9.37 Time in service 20.10.36 to 28.7.37 . 3.AZ.148 Sir POMEROY BURTON Approx.4000 Miles 17.7.37 COMPLAINT:- Overheating when car was driven in mountainous districts. we, at the request of 'H', sent a mechanic to Aix-les-Bains to attend to the car. He fitted a new matrix which was sent direct by Works to the owners address in Aix-les-Bains. The new matrix had the wider (44) vertical waterway strips, the original matrix had 66 . We sent a full report to 'H' and to 'Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}' and 'Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}'. Please refer to our Sr/VA6/GM.20.7.37. As this car was sold in England we therefore do not know how long the original matrix was in Service. 3.AZ.166 Mr. SURSOCK 4661 miles 29.7.37 COMPLAINT:- Overheating when car was driven fast and also under traffic conditions and the thermometer indicator hand often passed the 100° C. mark. No loss of water. We fitted a new matrix sent to us in case no. I4757. The driver has informed us that the water temperature does not now exceed about 85° C. Time in service 15.12.36 to 29.7.37 . 3.AZ.212 Mrs. FRYER 23143 Kms. 24.8.37 COMPLAINT:- Water temperature continually at 100° C. when car was driven at fairly high speeds on the straight. We do not remember whether the driver complained if there was a loss of water or whether the car overheated in traffic. We fitted a reconditioned MK 5 matrix sent to us in case no. I4852. Before changing the matrix on this car we asked the Repair Dept. to let us know the type that was fitted, they as per their Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}/Sd9/HR.19/8.37 said that as far as they could ascertain from the records in the Test Dept. this chassis was fitted with a MK.5 matrix. Time in service 14.1.37 to 24.8.37 . | ||