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).
Design improvements for the Phantom model related to ride quality, comfort, and steering.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 69\4\ scan0235 | |
| Date | 13th January 1928 | |
| HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X8770 To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from BJ. Copy to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}LHS.{Lord Herbert Scott}by.CWB. C.Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}PN.{Mr Northey}E PRESENT PHANTOMS - RIDING QUALITIES, SEASICKNESS AND STEERING With reference to R2/M25.12.27, I discussed this yesterday with C. and Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} to ascertain how far S. can assist in carrying out your proposals, and have made the following notes: 1. Spare Wheel and everything heavy pushed back etc. We understand that W. are now arranging for the spare wheel and battery to be carried at the back, and every endeavour will be made by S. to arrange for the coachbuilders to fit the tools as far back as possible. 2. Avoiding high and top-heavy bodies, heavy central glass etc. This matter has been carefully studied for some time by S. officials with the coachbuilders, and the roofs for our standard cars are being made as low as possible to conform with the requirements of customers. We find that even now many of our customers, especially ladies, complain that the seats are so low they cannot get out of them when they have once sat down, and that the tops of their hats touch the roof. We are, therefore, only allowing just enough room for an average sized lady to sit upright on the seats with an inch or so to spare above her hat. 2. Unfortunately we cannot depend on our average customers (who mostly are of the wealthy class) being active or agile enough to get up easily from a very low seat, and if this discomfort is forced on them, they will not buy our cars. Every endeavour is being made to strike the happy medium between the low roof and the average customer's requirements in seating and head room. 3. Lower the car on the springs all that is possible etc. We understand W. are arranging this. 4. Avoid wherever possible upright steering columns etc. The greater proportion of our business is for customers who use a driver and require a really comfortable carriage, separated from the driver. There are comparatively few owner drivers in these days. | ||