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).
Modifications to the wheels of the Phantom II.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\V\October1930-February1931\ Scan030 | |
| Date | 24th October 1930 | |
| TO HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/RM.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} FROM DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}2/24.10.30. ORIGINAL x7810 x7830 x7380 RE PHANTOM II. WHEELS. We thank you for your Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/MJ.21.10.30. I was given to understand that you were anxious to have wheels at the front with the centre line moved out on the hub .375ins. from its present position in order to obtain that amount extra of out-of-centrepoint steering. Naturally such wheels would have to be used at the rear also. On N.2. Series the standard wheels give a 60ins. track and therefore with these new wheels the track would be 60.750. We are more or less neutral on the question as to whether we have the wheels or not, but if you want them for other reasons then we shall be glad to take advantage of the extra width of rear cushion which they permit of. They will not effect a car like I8EX. or 27EX. On the latter car I am building the body assuming a 60ins. track for fear we in the end should not get the new wheels. On low cars of maximum length, where the rear cushion is shallow, its width is controlled by the brake drum clearance and these new wheels would not be of any real value, but, if the rear cushion be fairly deep or slightly forward, the extra .750ins. could be added to the cushion width, e.g. big bodies with "O" Steering. The use of these wheels would not increase the overall width of the car as the hubcaps would not be moved out, but on the other hand the manoeverability should be increased by the increased lock which would be obtained. The reduction in the angle of the cone of the wheel would save the paintwork on the spokes from the damage which it now experiences, [Signature] | ||