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).
Proposal to name future car models, such as Silver Phantom and Comet, rather than referring to them by wheelbase and engine size.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 153\3\ scan0230 | |
| Date | 21th December 1943 | |
| 1298 Amended Copy. Chassis To: Hly. from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 9/h.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} 21.12.43. c. to H.S. c. to Pdn. c. to W.R. Owing to the possibility of various alternative engine sizes being made for the range of chassis we have at present under consider-ation, I am proposing to refer to each model in future by a name rather than a wheelbase and engine size. This also prevents too much publicity being given to the actual engine dimensions of a car we propose to market after the war. The names I propose to use, unless anyone takes particular exception to them, are as follows : 11' 1" wheelbase 8-cyl. Rolls-Royce "SILVER PHANTOM". 11' 1" wheelbase 6-cyl. Rolls-Royce "SILVER WRAITH". 9' 2" wheelbase 4-cyl. Rolls-Royce. "SILVER RIPPLE". * 10' 10" wheelbase 8-cyl. Bentley. "COMET" 10' 4" wheelbase 6-cyl. Bentley. "CRESTA". 10' 4" wheelbase with the Paulin Body "CORNICHE". In the case of the Rolls-Royce range, the word "Silver" distinguishes them from the pre-war models Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Amendment. 18.2.44. * COMET. Since writing the above, the 10' 10" wheelbase has become 11' 1" by agreement. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||