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).
Internal memorandum discussing the urgent need to address an unsatisfactory steering issue on New Phantom chassis, particularly for export models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 67\4\ scan0076 | |
| Date | 12th May 1926 | |
| 28430 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from BJ. Copy to PN.{Mr Northey} Copy to GWB. New PhantomCodename for PHANTOM I. New Type Steering. BJ1/E12/5/26 EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} wrote on the 4th as follows: 'We suggest, in view of the fact that this is now stand- 'ardised and, as a matter of fact, is coming through on 'chassis from the Works, that we should not despatch any 'further chassis from the Works which are going abroad 'unless fitted with the new steering. 'If you agree, will you submit to the Administration 'and have instructions issued to the Works accordingly.' I have asked Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} to ascertain how many chassis for abroad there are in London yet undelivered and you will be able to ascertain from the Works if there are any there for abroad which are undelivered and which ought to have the steering changed. (Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} has already asked EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} for this information). At present we are doubtful as to what is the right procedure as you have the matter in hand and have no doubt discussed it with R.{Sir Henry Royce} during the last few days, and also I understand you are waiting for a full report from Hancock who is making tests in Paris. What we are trying to arrive at is whether it is really necessary for us to go to the very considerable expense of inserting the new steering or whether the far cheaper method of inserting new springs can be adopted with confidence of its proving successful. It seems very desirable that now we know that the steering in its present state is so unsatisfactory, especially abroad, we should do everything possible to prevent further cars going abroad with this steering, as it must injure our reputation and inevitably lead to consid- erable more expense being incurred in making the change- over after the cars have been delivered to the different parts of the earth. I have just heard that there are approximately 36 cars now in London allotted for abroad, which are being prepared for export, so that this matter becomes urgent. BJ. | ||