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).
Internal query about the availability of a higher geared axle for a customer's Phantom III.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 96\1\ scan0235 | |
| Date | 16th December 1937 | |
| U.W. 361 C13/C16.12.37 by S/W We have an old owner of ours named Harris, who has a Phantom III, No. 3.AX.193. He apparently had a very good Phantom II that he sold to buy a Phantom III and he always swears that he could get 96 m.p.h. out of the Phantom II and on the Continent over 100 m.p.h. We think he had a good speedometer but the fact remains that he thinks his Phantom III is slower than his Phantom II and he asks whether we could give him a higher geared axle to enable him to get more top speed. He says he is quite prepared to use his third gear for acceleration. Will you please let me know if you have anything in existence. Mr. Harris, incidentally, has a 4 1/4-litre Bentley as well and I rather think he wants to be able to talk about a higher top speed on his Rolls-Royce than on his Bentley. I am afraid he will sell his Phantom III if we do not do something, and buy a secondhand Phantom II. I do not want you to go to any particular expense, but it just occurred to me that there might be such a thing as a Phantom III higher geared axle in existence. C. [Handwritten] Only one ratio standard. Have you any suggestions fp.{F. Potts} please | ||