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).
Two reports on the performance and characteristics of the Essex 8 Cylinder Terraplane and Essex Terraplane vehicles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 21\6\ Scan080 | |
| Date | 9th October 1933 guessed | |
| Report from Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} Re. Essex 8 Cylinder Terraplane. The outstanding feature of this car is the smooth, quiet and flexible power unit. The absence of torque re-action effects and booming is remarkably good. Whilst we have obtained some benefit by isolation of the power unit, we have not achieved a result such as this. In view of the demand for quieter and more effortless propulsion and as apparently this result can be attained by more cylinders, it would seem that the 6 cylinder engine is beginning to be a back number. Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} Report from EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} Re. Essex Terraplane. Remarkable sweet running engine. No periods T.R. as low as 7 M.P.H. top gear and starts rattle at about 57 on second - more like valves bouncing on seats than master period. Seems out of range on top gear. Performance for acceleration as good as Bentley. Speedy, but maximum speed not attempted. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||