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).
Specifications for the Phantom II chassis in the U.S.A., including wheel carriers, batteries, and petrol gauges.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 11\3\ 03-page300 | |
| Date | 18th November 1930 | |
| To Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} (In U.S.A.) Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} PHANTOM II CHASSIS. I have been trying to get a complete agreed specification for the first L.H. chassis. I attach herewith a copy of what has been so far agreed to. It will be seen that they are asking for side wheel carriers. I persuaded them to limit this to the first 50 cars. 25-EX. has one wheel at the back but no luggage grid. They do not favour the idea of carrying only one wheel at the back and having to remove the luggage trunk if the wheel is required when luggage is carried. They also have the problem of producing complete cars for stock, they cannot anticipate which cars will be required with luggage trunks so they consider the only safe thing for them to do is to carry the wheels at the side as they do on Phantom I's. I could not convince them of the improvement in riding with the wheel at the back because I had to admit that their cars with side wheels were better. Battery. We have received your wire agreeing to them using the Exide battery. This battery, however, will demand a new box to suit it. It will be wider but shorter and not so deep. The dimensions of the battery can be obtained from Exide's in England. The modified battery box will mean an alteration to the fixing. It should be as far forward as possible because on a short body the wheel board may interfere with getting it in and out. They are expecting cars to be delivered with battery box suitable for them to drop their battery into. Petrol Gauge. They are keen on not showing the reserve petrol on the gauge. This is standard practice here, there is something to say for it. Our policy on petrol gauges was at one time influenced by the Paris Octroi but now this has been done away with, we might reconsider our views. I thought the way we could do it is by raising the scale at the bottom to cover the last three gals we have to make a special scale graduated in U.S. gals. If you already have a stock of these it could come through as an improvement. The Enots lubricators are not used over here they will use the Alemite type of lubricator. There has been a certain amount of discussion whether they wish to have black instruments or silver finish. this should be cleared up in a few days. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||