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).
Confidential memo discussing the build specifications and purpose of a special Continental Touring Car, known as P.2.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\1\ Scan005 | |
| Date | 26th January 1930 | |
| TO SE.. FROM EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} CONFIDENTIAL. EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/26.1.30. COPY TO HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} WHS. RE CONTINENTAL TOURING CAR. P.2. We are writing this memo to confirm our conversations with you re the above, and to make the matter clear to HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} & EY. at the same time hoping to answer the remarks in EY11/G24.1.30. It is agreed that we shall build the car as an experi-mental car, and as a car for the use of "R" personally. That the car should be finished by July 1930. The following features are those which make the chassis differ from a standard short chassis:- (1) The Revised Radiator Bonnet and Dash. These have been detailed and made for Sir Henry Segrave. To make another set will not incurr any initial cost. We hope this will be our standard as soon as it is found possible to allow it to be. (2) "F" Type Steering. It is believed that this angle of column would make a certain appeal at home and abroad on cars of the semi sporting type, a class of car which only can form a small percentage of our trade, but the owners of which are great propagandists. Moreover P2. is a chassis with performance which attracts such customers. Our competitors have such a column, and we have been asked at times for it. (3) The Revised Subframe. This will be needed whether we build this car or not, as it will be used for short chassis as soon as we standardise the Revised Subframe for long chassis already sent to Derby on N.Sch.2993. (4) The stiffer front and rear springs. We cannot believe these represent a great amount of work or expense. We believe they have been tried already experimentally. (5) The modified petrol tank and rear wheel carrier is the result of the rear wheels on the carrier leaving for'd to match the slope of the rear panel of the hood. If it is thought that the expense of this is not merited we are quite prepared to build the car with the standard dual rear wheel carrier. If possible we will discuss this with you on Monday. A second reason for building this car, though not necessarily secondary in importance, is that it may be used for propaganda work in August on the Continent, making a special tour. In view of this fact we understand that only the above special features should be added to a standard short chassis at the outset. We understand that you might consider minor engine improvements being added, if such have been thoroughly tested, but these should not be added without your consent. Subsequently the car would become a normal expl. car. We are placing the order for the body, which will be of a specially light construction, with Barkers tomorrow, and shall need the subframe in about 3.weeks. EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||