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).
Car policy and programme document discussing the modernization of the car range and comparing the 20/25 and Phantom models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\5\ scan0092 | |
| Date | 19th November 1935 | |
| X 1260 To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} & Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} HB{C. E. Harcombe}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/KW.19.11.35. CAR POLICY AND PROGRAMME. We have been considering if we cannot, by simplification of programme, expedite the modernisation of the whole range of our cars. It will be six months before the SpectreCodename for Phantom III is fit for the public and we then have to start to modernise the 20/25. This again has to be followed by the Bentley. The length of time taken by the SpectreCodename for Phantom III was inevitable, it was a complete metamorphosis of the chassis. Rolls-Royce Range. Both of our Rolls-Royce models have to be capable of carrying five people in optimum comfort, and seven for limited periods. The more expensive is expected to provide slightly more spacious accommodation and better performance. The requirements of the two cars are therefore very similar. Originally the 20/25 was a 3-litre, the Phantom 7.6 litres. Now the Phantom is 7.3 litres, the 20/25, 4.3 litres; i.e., the 20/25 from being 40% of the Phantom capacity has now risen to 60%, and we predict that this tendency will continue until the 20/25 rises to about 5 litres or 70% of the big car. The similarity between the two cars being such, we consider that the policy of having two complete chassis, the one scaled down about .8 of the other, is altogether too extravagant both from the production, design, and development point of view. It results in a frantic scramble to keep the whole range up to date, and actually never succeeding. | ||