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).
List of technical advantages for a new rear-end design on fast cars, referencing the Continental Phantom.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\R\2December1927-February1928\ Scan197 | |
| Date | 15th February 1921 guessed | |
| contd :- -4- purely due to the undoubted technical advantages offered thereby and so great are these advantages, which we enumerate below, that we feel convinced it is bound to become the conventional method of finishing off the rear end of all fast cars in a very short time. Its advantages are :- (1) Gives a speed increase equivalent to adding 15 HP. to the engine. This is 100% more increase than the Sports engine gives us (see attached curves). (2) Gives directional stability to the car at high speeds. Malcolm Campbell has found one essential in his recent record, and we can appreciate the benefit incurred thereby. (3) Enables the spare wheel and tools to be carried in the place where they confer the maximum benefit with regard to the road holding and riding comfort qualities of the car. (4) In a closed car where the tail can advantageously be made deeper, provides a clean receptacle for luggage, again in the place where its inertia can do most good. (5) Facilitates the cleaning of the rear of the car which, on a sports model, is usually smothered in dirt due to its reduced mud wing area. The average spare wheel and carrier, luggage grid, petrol tank, tail lamp and number plate are difficult to clean and can hardly be admired by anyone, even though they are used to them. Summarising the position, we are very satisfied with the performance of the Continental Phantom as it stands, but know that this is entirely dependent on the body design. If coachbuilders are encouraged promiscuously to alter the car, which is the product of numerous experiments, then we know that the apprehension expressed ed{J. L. Edwards} as to our being unable to compete with other makes will be justified. At present we have nothing to fear. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} | ||