Road test report detailing criticisms and praise for chassis 20-MY and 31-GX.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\1\ Scan272 | |
| Date | 23th June 1933 guessed | |
| - 2 - 20-MY 31-GX Speedometer error 3.3% fast 4% fast The other points which I respectfully wish to criticise are as follow :- 1. The steering gear transmits too many road shocks. 2. There is a tendency to lock the rear wheels when braking, particularly on a wet road. This is no doubt due to the 45% and 55% distribution and pressures between the front and rear wheels respectively. While this is a great improvement on the original distribution of 40% and 60%, it is very much inferior to the 50% and 50% which you fitted specially for me on chassis 31-GX, and it is interesting to record that I have never yet locked a front wheel. 3. No doubt due to the flexible 'diamond' mounting of engine and gearbox, there is now a tendency for road shocks to be transmitted to the brake and clutch pedals. 4. I very much deplore the absence of the throttle governor. It was most useful in obtaining a smooth start from rest. You will no doubt be interested in this since I was myself opposed to it at first and actually had it disconnected from chassis 31-GX for a shortperiod. I would not now be without it. 5. While the suspension is certainly a very good compromise between comfort at low speeds and stability on high speeds, one feels the need for shock absorbers controlled from the driving seat. I was particularly impressed with the following points :- 1. The most perfect silence of the engine at all speeds and throttle openings. You have really attained a most wonderful result in this direction. 2. The complete freedom from engine vibration at all speeds above 15 m.p.h. in top gear; below this speed however the (contd) | ||
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).