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).
Secret memo detailing a very negative test drive of the Spectre model, including a failure to start and significant suspension noises.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\1\ scan0016 | |
| Date | 15th July 1935 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} x300 E.1/MN.15.7.35. SECRET. Re SpectreCodename for Phantom III. This last week end is the first time that I have been invited to take home a SpectreCodename for Phantom III, and you might be interested to know the result. I completely failed to start the car getting away from here and also in endeavouring to return. It is being fetched this morning. On the road the main thing noticeable is the noises from the suspension in the form of 'grunts' and subdued knocking passing over uneven ground. Exhaust noise when accelerating is undesirably noticeable. The car gave a better impression when going faster but I did not drive very far. The nett result, however, is very depressing, and if this is an average sample of what we are to expect from the other SpectreCodename for Phantom IIIs we are building there isconsiderable amount of work to be done before this car is fit to be handed over to a customer. I think we should have an early meeting to discuss the position. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} [Signature] | ||