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).
Expressing disappointment with the current 'ugly' and 'coarse' bonnet louvres and urging for the approval of a new design for the 'New Phantom'.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 66\3\ scan0112 | |
| Date | 9th October 1925 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from BJ. Copies to.. [BL. crossed out] [DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} crossed out] 48260 BJ4/H9.10.25. "NEW PHANTOMCodename for PHANTOM I" LOUVRED BONNET. We are glad to see that DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}1/M7.10.25 stated that a new design of louvres has been sent to W., as we look on this matter as of considerable urgency. There is no doubt that the bonnets we are now delivering are extremely ugly [as crossed out] and the louvres very large and coarse in appearance, as compared with the very large number of refined and artistic-looking bonnets of other makes. We hope that this new design will be satisfactory, and that you will be able to arrange for R.{Sir Henry Royce} to approve and for us to see it at the earliest possible moment. We look on every bonnet that we deliver with the present louvres as being considerably to our detriment. To-day, for the first time, we saw a 20 HP. with louvred bonnet, and we are of course extremely disappointed at the great big louvres, which reach almost from the top to the bottom of the sides of the radiator. The dimensions look still more coarse and ugly on the small 20 HP. bonnet. We presume that the design of this cannot be altered until the New PhantomCodename for PHANTOM I design has been passed. It therefore makes production of the new design still more urgent. B.J. | ||