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).
Coachwork Conference memo discussing driving visibility and potential body modifications for the Phantom III.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 167\1\ img061 | |
| Date | 7th November 1936 | |
| SECRET. Headlamp Roll JLE{J. Lee Evans - Chassis Test Manager}, RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}, LA{L. A. Archer}, EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}, Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FD.{Frank Dodd - Bodies} c. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and Hc. c. C__ Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}, Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} ____ ir/Wst. ____ E.1/HP.7.11.36. Coachwork Conference - Friday November 6th. Present. JLE{J. Lee Evans - Chassis Test Manager}, Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}, LA{L. A. Archer}, EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}, Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FD.{Frank Dodd - Bodies} Driving Visibility on Phantom III. We are carrying out a check on our experimental cars on the lines of E.2/HP.6.11.36 to compare the riding position with the theoretical fully laden frame heights, as these cars appear to be riding high in front although short of front buffer clearance. We suspect that the rear end is low. Whatever the result of this investigation may be it was agreed that from the coachwork point of view there is no reason why the waist line of the body should not be dropped one inch. There would be no difficulty in modifying the front mudguards, if it is desired to drop the front suspension 1" relative to the wheel. It would however be better to drop the radiator, bonnet, and waist line rather than alter the suspension. The air silencer and float chamber stand pipe can be modified to suit. We may also be able to recover most of the decrease in radiator matrix. The dash would require one inch trimming off the top edge only, with no alteration to the pot, as the section allowed originally for the scuttle armature should be ample. The wider dash should not make mudguard visibility much worse, and should be brought in at the same time as the lower bonnet. With regard to the S.M.M.T. letter setting out the modified visibility standard, it is intended as soon as we have checked up on the riding position to carry out a visibility test on the skid pan. | ||