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).
Arguing for a larger petrol tank on the Phantom II Continental model due to inadequate range at high speeds.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 17\5\ Scan191 | |
| Date | 20th February 1933 | |
| X7460 S/W. -> Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Lid.{A. J. Lidsey} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. " P, BY, c. " DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}, Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}9/KW20.2.33. Phantom II Petrol Tanks. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Lid.{A. J. Lidsey}2/MA25.1.33. You say that the present standard petrol tank on the P.II. has a capacity of 21 gallons, representing a range of 252 miles ( at 12 m.p.g.) I think it is very rarely that that mileage is obtained, particularly with the Continental which is driven at high speeds. When I drove from London to Newcastle last November on our Continental Trials Car 48-MS my petrol consumption worked out at 7½ m.p.g. over a distance of 268 miles covered at an average speed of 60 m.p.h. This gives only 157 miles for a tank full including the reserve quantity. This does seem to be entirely inadequate for a car of this type and performance, particularly as that average speed over long distances could easily be maintained in France where conditions are more suitable still. It does seem, therefore, that a larger petrol tank is called for for the 40/50 chassis, particularly the Continental model, seeing that the performance of this car is now being still further improved. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} dub [STAMP] RECEIVED 23 FEB 1933 | ||