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).
Top speed of the Continental Phantom X.469 (15-EX) and the effects of wind resistance.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\S\March1928-May1928\ Scan026 | |
| Date | 9th March 1928 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c.c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c.c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c.c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} ORIGINAL Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}6/LG9.3.28. CONTINENTAL PHANTOM. X.469 In view of the controversy with regard to the speed of sports cars, it is of interest to note that 15-EX in France after 8000 miles had a maximum speed on the level in still air of 86 m.p.h. and could touch 90 m.p.h. under favourable conditions - this speed having been attained by myself and several of the testers by carefully calibrated speedometer. These results almost exactly confirm the figures obtained on Brooklands. As an indication of the importance of wind resistance at these speeds, we noted that raising the rear screen at once dropped the maximum speed by about 3 m.p.h. This should be borne in mind when carrying passengers. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||