Track tests comparing an Alfa-Romeo's performance with Rolls-Royce models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 155\1\ scan0044 | |
| Date | 6th August 1932 | |
| To R. {Sir Henry Royce} from Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} /Tm. C. Sg. {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} HOF. C. E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} PH. C. Ds. Hy. {Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} C. Hdv. (W.R.) X788 V-183 Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} /Tm.11/AM.6.8.32. Tests have now been carried out on the Alfa-Romeo on the track. The following lap speeds were obtained :- Lap speed & time ..... 2 mins, 4.2 secs = 80.20 M.P.H. " " " ..... 2 mins, 4.4 secs = 80.07 M.P.H. Windscreen down " ..... 2 mins, 2 secs = 81.81 M.P.H. The speedometer reading was checked as it appeared to be exceedingly fast, with the following results :- At speeds of :- 50. 60. 70. 80 M.P.H. Reading fast :- 5.29 5.63 7.05 9.56 M.P.H. It is possible to draw one or two comparisons from these figures. Peregrine(Experimental Bentley car never produced / Aero Engine), with about the same horse-power laps at 71 M.P.H. i.e. the difference between the cut down Alfa touring body with racing wings and the normal saloon and wings of Peregrine(Experimental Bentley car never produced / Aero Engine), is about 9 M.P.H. 19-GIV car, Chine with the J.1 head, since it lapped at 80 M.P.H. with saloon body and cut-out closed, we estimate would be about 9 M.P.H. faster than the Alfa when both were fitted with similar bodies. Considering the smoothness and silence of 19-GIV unit this is rather a remarkable result. On the other hand, the Alfa that we have is rather out of date and probably the latest 8 cylinder models would about equal the Chine J.1 head power output. Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} /Tm. | ||
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).