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).
Improvements to a car being tested in France, focusing on appearance, cooling, engine smoothness, and rear axle.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5a\2\ 02-page334 | |
| Date | 15th December 1930 | |
| COPY. X5840. To PN.{Mr Northey} FROM Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/AD.15.12.30. 18-G4. X.5770. X.5840. This car is running in France with the following improvements :- (1) Appearance. Bonnet, radiator and dash altered shape which at present has to take place between the dashboard and the windscreen of a saloon body. The front of the radiator has also been dropped further into the frame to give the same impression as Phantom II. (2) Cooling efficiency. The matrix besides being larger than standard, is fitted with dented radiator tubes and thermostatically controlled shutters to give a non-spillable radiator cap valve. (3) Engine Smoothness and Booms. In order to reduce the booms and improve the engine smoothness generally, the unit is hung on a single point mounting at the front and rear with the torque being taken by means of soft rubbers in the ordinary 20 HP. rear engine feet. The engine is fitted with a larger crankshaft and low inertia slipper wheel as on the Phantom II. This combination raises the critical crankshaft speed to about 55 miles per hour on top gear. A new lightened flywheel having less overhang is running on this engine. The object of this is to overcome the flywheel period which made itself so marked at 3,000 R.P.M. and over. We consider it has accomplished what it set out to do. We have however, certain criticisms to make with regard to a slight loss of clutch pedal movement which is being rectified. This flywheel is what West WitteringHenry Royce's home town have offered us instead of the tail bearing. (4) Rear Axle. The rear axle is hypoid. In order to take advantage of the hypoid axle and enable the floor of the car to be dropped, the cross members have been altered; also the position of the brake counter-shaft. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} | ||