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).
Report from Hancock at Boulogne regarding a car trial, detailing performance issues and required modifications for the Phantom and 25HP models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 56\2\ Scan035 | |
| Date | 2nd July 1932 | |
| COPY OF REPORT RECEIVED FROM HANCOCK AT BOULOGNE DATED 2.7.32. We arrived here this evening. Mr. Pass crossed over by the 7 o'clock boat. I am leaving for Paris in the morning and have arranged for Roberts to pick me up there. Mr. Pass is anxious for me to send in a report about the trial with regard to the car. I have previously reported to you that the Phantom failed on the Stelvio Pass due to having to reverse on the corners. To succeed, a car must not have a wheel base of more than 10 ft. 6 ins. Its turning circle must not be more than 45 ft. Mr. Pass is keenly disappointed as he was prepared to spend any amount of money to carry off the prize. He is rather keen upon trying the 25 HP. but in my opinion the test is too severe and the risk of failure too great for the 25 HP. to compete, without experience. It is the control which beats the cars. The time margin is too small to allow for any punctures or anything to go wrong. The test is a very severe one for the driver and he has to take risks to complete the course in the time allowed on any day's run. With regard to the 25 H.P. the brakes would have to be of the ribbed cooling type. They must definitely not expand with heat to any extent as they are used hard and frequently going down the passes. The acceleration must equal the Phantom (better if possible). The latest water pump would be needed to prevent loss of water at high speed. The clutch is given very severe work and with the synchromesh gears I think it would fail with the present design. The 25 HP. springing is hopeless for this test. It must have Hartfords shock dampers or others of the same pattern. The springs would need to be twice as strong. The riding of the car in England would be called impossible to be made right for this trial. I have had to tighten up the Hartfords as hard as I could possibly get them for the car to hold the road to Mr. Pass's liking. I have ridden in the back the whole of the time and can say that considering the speed and cornering, I have never ridden in a Derby Phantom with smoother riding and road holding qualities. Of course, going slowly over pavé you could not call it springing. We must have quicker changing wheels. The present Dunlop design is hopeless for quick changing. The serration will not enter without knocking this way and that way before the exact to a thou. limit is obtained. | ||