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).
General development position summary on Phantom III and Wraith experimental cars and ongoing tests.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 155\2\ scan0184 | |
| Date | 29th December 1937 | |
| Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} 1315 Rml/R.29.12.37. GENERAL DEVELOPMENT POSITION. The following is a brief summary of the present position of development work:- P.III. We have one Experimental car running - 35-EX. Two others are in pieces - 32 and 39-EX, and these are in the process of being re-built as per Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}6/R.9.11.37. 35-EX is being used mainly for investigating starting troubles on the P.III. On the test bed we have been running endurance on the new cylinder heads with improved waterways, and less costly tappets. We have also completed 75 hours endurance on the aluminium tin main bearings reported in RmlO/R.5.10.37. WRAITH. We have now four Wraith Cars running, and one stripped down and being re-built for the 15,000 miles' test. A 6th chassis is having a body fitted, and should be on the road early in the New Year. Our main concern is to bring these cars up to specification agreed on for production, as many parts on them are out of date. The development work in progress includes:- (1) Investigating the road-ability of the car on the Skid Pan, the conclusion has been reached that a front roll rod is required. (2) Final tests on engine mounting culminating in the choice of the raised engine mounting. (3) Induction pipe tests to improve distribution and consumption - definite progress has been made. | ||