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).
Spectre test in France, highlighting suspension problems, servicing issues, and future modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 182\M18\ img027 | |
| Date | 3rd September 1935 | |
| SECRET. To Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to E.Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} C.Cr.{Mr Cra???ster / Mr Chichester} re 3.S.I. SpectreCodename for Phantom III Test in France. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}7/T3.9.35 I have just been reading the report at 12,000 miles, Reference Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/CWH.2/JAB.31.7.35. The remarks on Page 1 are gratifying. On Page 2 I see it says that on going over a hump on the road which looks harmless and at even medium speeds, the rear passengers are lifted off their seats. I am surprised to see this because it was what we found just about a year ago when we first tried the SpectreCodename for Phantom III and, when I was driving, I threw Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} and C. upto the roof. You will remember some few months ago it was decided that this was a characteristic feature of independent front springing and that the only way to get over it was to change to the standard type of front axle springs. Considerable expense was incurred in going ahead on these lines but a few weeks afterwards I was informed that the difficulty had been overcome and we were reverting to the independent front suspension. I should be glad, therefore, of an explanation regarding the item in question. I would also in particular call attention to the remarks under servicing the car. This all seems a question of design and it certainly is very lamentable that at this date we find ourselves in this position. Dealing with the failures which have occurred and the remedies, I assume that the latter have all been noted at W. and are being embodied in the car now being prepared for further test in France and the two experimental cars which will become demonstration cars. Re bodywork, will E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} please say whether the points referred to are being taken up by W. with the body builders or whether it is left to us to do so, and I should be glad if he would let me know that the ventilating scheme to the front seat is as compared with what we are proposing to supply - | ||