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 report on the improved riding comfort of the 18-EX 'SS' Phantom after a 450-mile test run.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\T\November1928\ Scan068 | |
| Date | 28th December 1928 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} ORIGINAL SECRET. 18-EX. 'SS{S. Smith}'. +7770 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1/LG5.12.28. We have just had a run to WW. and back on the 'SS{S. Smith}' with incidental runs the mileage amounts to 450 miles. The impression one has of this car is very pleasing. The result is remarkable if one takes into account that the chassis had only been run a few miles on the road previous to starting for WW. The most noticeable feature on the car is the improved riding comfort. It is definitely the most comfortable Phantom we have ridden in either in the front or rear seats. The rear seat riding was exceptionally good. The car was comfortable on either seat from 10 to 70 m.p.h. On the present Phantom, the only way to keep customers reasonably happy is to cut down the range of comfort i.e., a customer who complains of low speed riding, the springs and shock absorbers are adjusted to suit that condition - if the car is driven fast it would be uncomfortable. We sometimes have customers who complain about the riding at high speeds and in that case the shock absorbers and springs are adjusted to suit that condition with the sacrifice of low speed riding. As we average at least one customers complaint of Phantom springing per day, the improvement in riding should be greatly appreciated. contd :- | ||