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).
The preliminary results of a Brooklands test on a high compression Phantom short chassis fitted with a Barker sports body.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 29\3\ Scan138 | |
| Date | 17th November 1925 | |
| R.R. 498A (50 M) (D.D. 31. 12-6-25) J.H.L. EXPERIMENTAL REPORT. Expl. No. .X789 REF Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/LG17.11.25. To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to CJ. BJ. c. to RG.{Mr Rowledge} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} CWB. c. to PN.{Mr Northey} BROOKLANDS TEST - NOV.14TH. 1925. X8770 Preliminary results. These tests were carried out on a high compression (5.2 : 1) Phantom short chassis fitted with a Barker sports type body. The car was fitted with a 17-tooth axle to ensure that it should not be under-geared. The total weight of the car equipped for the tests and carrying two passengers was 2.45 tons. Though of a sporting appearance, the Barker body did not prove to be a marked improvement for speedwork. Actually we should say that it increased the max. speed of the car by about 3 or 4 m.p.h. over a standard body. The main feature of the body was its length, it being exceptionally short. This proved to be rather a disadvantage as there was insufficient weight over the rear mxxxxx axle to prevent wheel spin at high speeds. Possibly the spare wheels carried at the back would give the required result. On the whole, the car held the track well with shock absorbers tightened up, the steering was very good with noticeable absence of shocks even at the highest speeds, there was no sign of wheel wobble. contd :- | ||