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).
Field report detailing performance and issues with a Phantom III test car in France.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\1\ scan0494 | |
| Date | 22th March 1937 | |
| 143.300 also 300a HOTEL DE FRANCE, CHATEAUROUX, Indre, France. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/IMW{Ivan M. Waller - Head of Chateauroux}/2/JAB. 22nd March 1937. To. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} [crossed out] c.c. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} 35-EX. PHANTOM III. We collected this car from Paris to-day. The new triangular stay for the Gearbox is not yet to hand. We have had no trouble with the present one, but noted when fitting it, that it would be possible for it to toggle sideways a little if the gearbox wanted to move forwards. The new radiator stays and yoke at the rear of the matrix have given no trouble apart from the nuts requiring tightening after 8,500 miles running. It would however be advisable to strip them to ensure there are no structural weaknesses. If you wish this doing before the end of the 15,000 miles, please let us know. The 5" rim wheels have shown no weaknesses except the creaking from the wheel centers where they bed on the hubs that was experienced in London. There has been no repetition of this trouble since the wheels were dealt with by Dunlops before being sent out to France. We are of the impression that with these rims, lower tyre pressures can be used for a given amount of tyre roll than with the standard rims. One rim was slightly dented by a large stone concealed in the grass verge, but I think a standard rim would also have suffered under the same circumstances. We enclose sketch of leak from the N.S.R. Lockheed hydraulic jack. We made a point of examining the special red rubber hose when the valves were changed, and found it in excellent condition. The new parts for the side steering tube joint are being fitted to-day. ------------ Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/IMW.{Ivan M. Waller - Head of Chateauroux} | ||