Test report on the 33-EX model's performance, handling, and ride comfort during an Easter holiday trial.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 123\4\ scan0248 | |
| Date | 18th April 1936 | |
| RAAA X1042 GRY {Shadwell Grylls} [?] E.5/HP.18.4.36. Sg. {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and Wor. {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c.HS. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Ev. {Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Cx. {Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} Da. {Bernard Day - Chassis Design} JLE. {J. Lee Evans - Chassis Test Manager} EV. {Ivan Evernden - coachwork} HDY. {William Hardy} re 33-EX. During the Easter holiday I had the use of 33-EX which is fitted with the red continental touring saloon. I was very greatly impressed with the way in which this car handles in the general use, and feel sure that it will meet with a fine reception when the production car begin to get into service. We must not, however, be disappointed if little troubles of a kind we have not ourselves experienced arise at the inception of Phantom III because it is impossible, as we know by experience, to evolve a test schedule which covers all contingencies likely to arise in customers hands. What we want, therefore, now is to get the car in the hands of the public. During the holiday I ran a distance of 623 miles on 63 gallons of petrol, and taking into account that two fairly long runs were done on third gear, the mileage can be put down at 10 m.p.g. The oil used was half a gallon for 600 miles. These figures appear to me to be quite satisfactory. One feature of the car which I set out particularly to test during this holiday is the effect of the riding on persons peculiarly sensitive to car sickness. The result is an enormous improvement over our non independent front suspension models, and personally I think this is very important as I often meet people who associate this unpleasant phenomenon with our productions. Another pleasing feature about 33-EX is the entire absence of body noises, even under completely abnormal conditions, with the car on open down country where some very uneven ground was negotiated to try the effect of the flexible springing and more rigid construction. The car also negotiated rough unmade road at quite good speeds without any disagreeable effects or body noise. In connection with 33-EX, in particular, | ||
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).