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).
Use of non-skid chains on the front wheels of Phantom III and 25/30 models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 128\3\ scan0162 | |
| Date | 3rd February 1937 | |
| S/W. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} C. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [text is struck through] 1109 Non-skid Chains on P.III. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer}8/M2.2.37. Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}14/KW3.2.37. In your memo you state that the general opinion of the Test and Experimental Departments is that it is unnecessary to fit chains to the front wheels. I think I ought to point out to you that the wording on the [text is struck through] this subject in the 25/30 R-R Instruction Book at present in circulation is :- " On no account must chains be fitted only to the rear " wheels for driving over ice and snow. Such a course " would be likely to result in loss of steering control " on application of the foot brake, because the greater " adhesion of the rear wheels might cause the front wheels " to become locked. In the Phantom III Instruction Book, possibly through an accidental omission, no mention is made of what to do in the case of snow, but obviously the remarks in the 25/30 and Bentley Instruction Books, which are similar, would apply. It seems, therefore, difficult to advise customers that some form of non-skid device is now un-necessary on the front wheels when these paragraphs still appear in the Instruction Book. It does seem on the face of it that there is no alternative unless you have some suggestion to make. Do you not think that Parsons, or any other firm making these non-skid devices, could produce a device that could be used on the P.III front wheels without the necessity of removing the discs ? Possibly they would help us to that extent if approached on the matter. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} Kwb | ||