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).
Road test report detailing the performance and characteristics of an 8-cylinder Oldsmobile model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 126\1\ scan0040 | |
| Date | 10th September 1937 guessed | |
| - 3 - wheel jack and tools. The boot on the 8 cylinder Oldsmobile which has side spare wheels must be exceptionally capacious. The car was jacked up in a garage and grease gunned once a week. This is the only way to deal with the job as arranged but nothing could be done for the rear springs which are encased in metal gaiters and one of which finished up creaking considerably. The coachwork was entirely free from knocks and noises with the exception of a small occasional squeak on the right hand screen pillar which sometimes occurred after running on rough roads. The radiator had to be replenished every two or three days to avoid boiling. Regarding the three speed gearbox, there was very little necessity felt for an extra gear. The car is a very good top gear performer, and when it was necessary to be on the 2nd gear road conditions dictated the maximum permissible speed. All passes including the narrow twisted Dolomite roads were easily negotiated on 2nd, but the 2nd gear worked out of mesh regularly when used on down grades. Engine starting was very good hot and cold once the trick was learned with only very occasionally extra cranking being required. The low battery level and failure to start at Southampton resulted from being accustomed to voltage control. The Oldsmobile is not so fitted and the battery should be frequently topped up. No starting handle is supplied nor is there any provision at all for hand starting. Under these circumstances it is therefore expected to have another vehicle at hand to tow or push the car into a state of activity, which is what occurred. The smoothness of the power plant reaches a very high standard but at very low speeds on both top and 2nd gear one does feel that for a luxury car 8 cylinders are needed. The brakes were very satisfactory and free from noise | ||