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).
Report outlining the objectives for the continental testing of the 8-cylinder 'Silver Phantom' and 'Corniche' models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 109\4\ scan0129 | |
| Date | 11th July 1939 | |
| 666.a + 4009. SECRET. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} c. Sr. c. HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} c. Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Jnr.{Charles L. Jenner} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/R.11.7.39. CONTINENTAL TESTS. 8-CYLINDER 'SILVER PHANTOM' & 'CORNICHE'. 'SILVER PHANTOM.' The 8-cylinder P.III replacement chassis, representing the extreme upper end of the range of the Rationalised parts, it was considered to be desirable to give this car a particularly thorough trial of a severe nature before it started on its endurance run at Chateauroux. The items of special interest on this car were:- (1) 8-cylinder engine which represents the first high power engine to be submitted to endurance running, and also the first 8-cylinder engine to run on the Continent. (2) The cooling problems connected with this power unit. (3) The handling characteristics of the long chassis fitted with a large body. (4) The desirability, or otherwise, of the gear ratios selected. (5) The ability of the brakes to deal with the increased power and weight. (6) General performance of the car under every variety of conditions. As there is now a speed limit of 60 m.p.h. on the German Autobahns, The Italian Autostradas were selected for the continuous high speed tests. It will be appreciated that this is expected to be a preliminary run on the 8-cylinder chassis to see whether any major failures occur which require dealing with before the necessary finesse is undertaken to prepare the chassis for standardisation. | ||