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).
Two defects on the New Phantom, concerning engine stalling and the inspection lamp circuit.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 69\4\ scan0024 | |
| Date | 17th March 1926 | |
| COPY OF MEMORANDUM CX{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}9/LR{Mr Ellor}/17.3.26. BJ. Re NEW PHANTOMCodename for PHANTOM I. At your request, I am giving you this note of the two defects mentioned at the Sales Conference yesterday:- (1) While driving our demonstration New PhantomCodename for PHANTOM I, 103-MC, the car developed very irregular running and finally stopped on the road, due to the top of the float chamber having unscrewed itself and was practically off. (2) The engine showed a tendency to stop when the clutch was taken out unless the governor lever was set well up the quadrant, so far in fact, that the car would not run at less than about 20 m.p.h. on this governor setting. Customers have complained about this too, notably one, Captain O'Callaghan, who had exactly the same experience to which I have referred, regarding the engine stopping. Another point I would mention is that I understand the flexible lead (inspection lamp) which we supply, and which is connected by a small two point plug to the Lucas switchboard cover, is incorporated in the same circuit as the Klaxon horn and dashboard lamps. A customer of ours, Mr. Pyman, recently had his fuses blow through a short in the dimmer switch, which extinguished all his lights and stopped his engine while entering Basingstoke a few days ago. This is an instance where an inspection lamp is immediately necessary, but it appears the inspection lamp is also out of operation when these fuses blow. It occurs to me that this inspection lamp might operate on a direct circuit with a battery, so that this at least can be relied upon to give light, when troubles such as Mr. Pyman's occur. I notice in the 20 h.p. Instruction Book, it recommends that an electric torch hand lamp should be carried for night running, in addition to the inspection lamp. I think it can be safely assumed that very few of our customers do this, and am of the opinion that this should be unnecessary if the direct circuit for this inspection lamp were instituted, instead of as at present. This system applies, I believe, to both the 40/50 h.p. and the 20 h.p. CX.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} (Sgd.) L.W.C. | ||