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).
Customer complaint letter from C. P. Fairey regarding performance issues with a new 'Phantom' car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\5\ Scan011 | |
| Date | 20th February 1934 | |
| COPY X7770 THE FAIREY AVIATION CO., LTD., Hayes, MIDDLESEX. 20th February, 1934. My dear Lappin, I have been driving the new "Phantom" myself over the week-end and I am afraid it is still far from satisfactory for the following reasons: The engine is distinctly rough. My original "Phantom" with its high Compression engine and general boosting was expected to be rougher than the normal but this engine is rough not only by the Rolls-Royce standard but by any standard and there is considerable clattering of valve tappets. Even allowing for the extra weight of the body the car is distinctly sluggish. I have to use first gear getting away and then my changes have to be timed very carefully. The engine overheats and boils if driven hard although the temperature at cruising does not exceed 80°, and oil pressure is normally higher than in the other "Phantom". The exhaust manifold also gets very hot and there is a great tendency to backfire on switching off which can hardly be carbon as the engine has not yet done 2000 miles. Both the sluggish performance and overheating inevitably suggest back pressure in silencer. The engine has no cut out such as the other is fitted with and while I should only have a limited use for a cut out in a car of this kind on the open road it does seem that the silencing is overdone. Is a two-stage cut out possible or alternatively some relieving of the silencer? Steering and suspension are perfect. With kind regards, Yours sincerely, (Signed) C. P. FAIREY. W. Lappin, Esq., Messrs. Rolls-Royce, Ltd., 14-15, Conduit Street, LONDON, W.1. | ||