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).
The disappointment with the design of the 'Kneeling Lady Mascot' by Mr. Sykes and plans for its improvement.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27\2\ Scan294 | |
| Date | 5th November 1934 | |
| SECRET. X,1775 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} To Ser....from Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} C. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} LUS. Gr{George Ratcliffe} Ox Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Evl/GO.5.11.34. Re : R.R. KNEELING LADY MASCOT. We have noticed quite a number of these Mascots fitted to R.R.cars and are rather disappointed with its appearance. We think that Mr. Sykes has lost a lot of the sense of speed in reproducing our design, and that the lady's legs are too heavily swathed in rolls of cloth which to our mind is not in the position such cloth would assume if it were in a high speed air stream. Our original water colour was sent to Mr.Sykes and we would very much like to have it back so that we could ascertain whether our beliefs are correct, and also to make a further improved design. The back view of the mascot is just a metallic lump, whilst that of the original R.R. mascot is quite pleasing. We are particularly interested in the development of this mascot because it will become more or less an essential feature of SpectreCodename for Phantom III and Wraith. We are asking Ox to loan us a mascot as a model. EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||