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).
Secret memo outlining plans for a comparative car test involving a Packard and a Spectre, with arrangements to keep the test clandestine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 127\1\ scan0201 | |
| Date | 27th April 1935 | |
| SECRET Y435 S/W Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}..from C. C2/C27.4.35 Confirming our conversation with your representative on the telephone, unfortunately Mr.Geoffrey Duveen is not willing that we should take his Packard for a long run and unaccompanied by his driver. He does not want anything dismantled, but he says his chauffeur will show you everything you want to see, and of course you can try it out with the driver. We can have it between 9.30 and 1 o'clock on Tuesday next. We therefore suggest that the best plan will be for you to meet us at Bignalls Corner at about 10.15 - 10.30, because we shall not get the car here until 9.30.a.m. Then you can make your tests. The SpectreCodename for Phantom III must be kept away from the driver, so we suggest that you bring the SpectreCodename for Phantom III down and another standard car and that you leave the SpectreCodename for Phantom III somewhere out of sight - say at St.Albans - and come up to Bignalls Corner in the other car. You can do your tests with the Packard and send the driver back to London, and then go over the same ground with the SpectreCodename for Phantom III. No doubt E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} would also like to come up and try this car while we have the opportunity. C. GRY.{Shadwell Grylls} & E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} 10.A.M. 7.15. Pick up E | ||