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).
Stagnation of sales for the 25HP car, detailing issues with body size, engine performance, and ignition defects.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\U\2January1930-September1930\ Scan089 | |
| Date | 28th April 1930 | |
| [strikethrough]E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} PA.{Mr Paterson})[/strikethrough] FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} ) (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.) [handwritten] ORIG. HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [/handwritten] [strikethrough]C. to SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}[/strikethrough] [strikethrough]C. to C. LHS{Lord Herbert Scott}?[/strikethrough] CAR WORK - 25HP. I am very anxious about the stagnation of sales of this car, and there are a few features belonging to my side of the responsibility which I want to alter. (1) It will be remembered that I have never approved of fitting big bodies that would spoil the performance or riding qualities, but my advice has never been taken. I would [underlined]much rather[/underlined] miss an order than fit a body that we know will not give [underlined]entire[/underlined] satisfaction, especially by pushing the passengers over the back axle. So that a 5 seater should be the limit of the body on this chassis unless made with a [underlined]long wheelbase[/underlined], then it need only be limited in body as regards [underlined]height and weight[/underlined]. (2) The engine should be made like Phantom 2. so that all the virtues of [underlined]both cars are in line[/underlined]. Especially you will remember that Phantom 2. has such [underlined]good cold distribution[/underlined], and [underlined]does not bang in the silencer[/underlined], a feature we hardly expected to cure and which to me is of great importance. (3) The ignition on the car is often defective, (noticed by me on London trials car.) I am not sure that we know what this is. EFC. appears to say [underlined]low tension contacts[/underlined]. My information is from Mr. Minchin. I feel certain it is not these, but something to do with the high tension circuit, and one of the following - (a) Mutual induction between the H.T. wire causing pre-ignition (as originally on Silver Ghost.) (b) Oxidised sparking plugs or distributor segments causing leaky sparks on H.T. circuit, as experienced on magneto with short safety gaps. (c) Miss-fires [underlined]not ignition[/underlined], but carburation, valves, etc. (4) Mr. Minchin says that owners' opinion is very much in favour of double ignition because of this failure to fire occasionally at low speeds picking up. [underlined]These very friendly owners want the 25HP. brought in line with Phantom 2.[/underlined], and say that it is not its price that keeps the sales down, but its performance. (5) I very definitely [underlined]do not recommend[/underlined] low quality bodies being fitted. (6) Can we lower the chassis or body floor? Personally I fear that the critics will never think well of this until it not only has the same relative performance as Phantom 2., but also looks like it when the bonnet is lifted. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||