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).
Experimental modification to the Phantom III bonnet and scuttle fitting to correct irregularities.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 92\6\ scan0285 | |
| Date | 10th March 1937 | |
| To Mr. Donner Copy to RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Steadman. E/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/AN.10.3.37. 305. Re Phantom III Bonnets. Some while ago we asked that one Phantom III having coachwork with a fixed head be converted to a solid scuttle and dash attachment such as we have recommended for the Sedanca and other convertible body types. Our Sales Dept. have from time to time complained of the irregularity between the matching of the back end of the bonnet top panels and the scuttle when viewed from the driving seat, and to overcome this they have now standardised a small bead round the top of the scuttle to mask this irregularity. It has been suggested repeatedly that another cure would be to place the bonnet rest strip on the scuttle and to delete the rest strip at present on the dashboard. The Coachbuilder would then be in a position, when fitting the rest strip, so to pack it that any irregularities between the contour of the back of the bonnet and that of the scuttle could be minimised. We feel that such a procedure could only be expected to work on a car having a torsionally rigid frame such as the Phantom III and Wraith II, and possibly also on a car having a rigid scuttle to dash attachment. At a Coachwork meeting between Sales and Works at Derby it was decided to ask that an experiment be tried to test this scheme. The bonnet eye on the dashboard would remain as at present attached to the dash but the bonnet rest strip round the dash would be removed and in its place a rest strip of Ferodo or suitable material would be screwed to the scuttle. On an existing car it would be necessary to fill in with a block of wood part of the large chamfer on the scuttle near the side bonnet hinge in order that the Ferodo rest strip might be contacted down as close to the side hinge as possible. There should be no difficulty in doing this as there is a wood framing underneath the panel at this point. Would you kindly instruct this experiment to be tried out on a Phantom III as soon as possible and let us know the | ||