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).
Ten proposed changes to modernise the Phantom 10EX car, specifically for the coachbuilders.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 70\1\ scan0178 | |
| Date | 3rd December 1926 | |
| to HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} & BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} RE PHANTOM 10 EX. We understand that you intend to modernise this car and have included with this memo drawings of our proposals to which Mr Royce has agreed subject to their proving possible to all concerned. We have discussed the coachwork portion with Barkers and they agree and are ready to go ahead. In view of possibility of some mis-understanding concerning our building this car, we suggest that it be never referred to as a sports car but as Open Phantom 10EX. on all memos. The following are the changes we propose:- (1) The present wings be replaced by those which we believe to be effective and yet have little wind resistance. (2) Zeiss head lights close together and high up in front of the radiator. We shall look for some wing lights that we can conceal. (3) No running boards to be fitted. The body panel to be extended to the bottom of the frame in an unbroken line. This is to prevent the car looking like a thin high blue streak. (4) Small sloping "V" screen with fixed glasses and a screen wiper. (5) The rear of the body to be removed and made to house the spare wheel and larger tools. (6) The driving seat to be lowered four inches by dropping the wheel vertically. The instructions for this change are on N.Sch.2316. The revised "D" type pedals are made to clear the column by moving outwards the brake and accelerator pedal. The seat will have to have pneumatic upholstery. The vision is given on N.Sch. 2317. (7) The undersheet is to be carried back as far as possible. The limits are the torque tube and the brake ropes. We suggest that for this car the undersheet should be made up by Derby without any further instructions from us. (8) If it is desired to fit the new tank and two level device we can arrange to operate this latter from the Spare wheel locker. (9) We propose retaining the flat dash as the cast dash would cause us a lot of work on the front end of the body. The stays for the steering column would be set out by Derby. (10) If it is found advisable we can have a steering wheel with Three spokes in the place of the present four. We may wish to have a spring wheel. There will be, doubtless, many other changes which you will wish to make to the chassis but these are those of interest to us as coachbuilders. | ||