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).
High-speed performance comparisons between the Phantom, 20 HP car, and competitors.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 4\8\ 08-page17 | |
| Date | 1st October 1926 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to RG.{Mr Rowledge} B. c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} BY X.469 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/LG6.10.26. HIGH SPEED PERFORMANCE. X3542. X469 We are continually having the wonderful speeds and accelerations of various cars quoted against the Phantom. We have always been under the impression that the claims by other people were somewhat exaggerated. Recently Mr. G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} Summers conducted a private test in which a number of cars were accurately timed over the flying half-mile and standing mile. We think the attached figures may be of interest. All the Vauxhalls were the latest overhead valve type which were agreed by everyone present to be the fastest sports car at the moment being sold by a British manufacturer in any quantity. It will be observed that while the speed of the Phantom over the flying half mile is very good, its acceleration is only moderate over the standing half mile in which event it was beaten by the other cars. We are continually receiving reports that the hill climbing and acceleration of the covered 20 HP. car is markedly inferior to the best Continental and American cars. Attached is a comparison of several cars, the weights being taken from 'The Motor' and 'Auto car' tests. A lot of foreign cars are being supplied with Weymann bodies which of course give marked weight reduction. The American covered bodies contd :- | ||