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).
Test report summary on a Wraith 15,000-mile test and a Phantom III big-end bearing failure.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 108\1\ scan0138 | |
| Date | 31th August 1937 | |
| Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} 600 a Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/R.31.8.37. WRAITH - 15,000 MILES' TEST. It will be observed from the Daily Reports that an exhaust valve head came off on this car and wrecked the engine; it was not worth replacing the parts as the engine was out of date. We, therefore, brought the car back to England on three cylinders and it is being inspected while an engine to the final production drawings is being prepared. Since a number of crankcase modifications have recently been made to facilitate production, pattern modifications are required, and it will be 6/7 weeks before we get a new engine unit. In the meantime, we hope to finalise the engine mounting. The P.III has had the big-end bearing which failed replaced, and the car is being handed over to Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} for trial in order that the valve gear and overdrive box can be demonstrated to Sales and Cricklewood before the car is finally stripped for inspection. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||