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).
EP Test report on the Phantom III Experimental Car 37-EX, detailing performance, improvements, and faults.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\1\ scan0497 | |
| Date | 1st April 1937 | |
| Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry{Shadwell Grylls} C Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 300 EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}12/MH.{M. Huckerby}1.4.37 re PHANTOM III EXPERIMENTAL CAR 37-EX - EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} TEST As discussed with you yesterday, the petrol consumption works out about 11 to 12 m.p.g. for a run of about 450 miles, normal running. Oil consumption.- 1 quart Arctic oil has been added. Could you please find out the amount now required to fill? This would appear to be about another quart, which gives a consumption of about 900 m.p.g., which seems very good. (If started full) By comparison with previous Phantom III cars tried this car appears to have one or two important running improvements, i.e. :- (1) Free from objectionable "chunks" in the drive on the top gear and other gears (see top and (d)). (2) There is no objectionable "groan" period on pick-up 20-22 m.p.h.,although the usual tyre "groan" noises, but not too bad. (see b) (3) Power and acceleration seem generally very good. By comparison acceleration above 30 m.p.h. is more marked than below, when on top gear -(in fact the latter point seems rather disappointing compared with the Packard). (4) Slow running is good and remains so, although after a hard run the tappet mechanism is rather noisy. (5) The starting up and valve mechanism reliability were very good. No trouble was experienced with tappets sticking when starting under cold conditions, as was my experience on previous Phantom III Experimental cars. Noticeable faulty points were as follows:- (a) Objectionable vibration period, at a car speed 45-60 m.p.h., the "peak" being 55 m.p.h. Prevalent | ||