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).
Feedback and issues on a trial car, covering steering, engine, and bodywork.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 69\3\ scan0068 | |
Date | 1st February 1925 | |
To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from BJ. BJ9/H2.2.25 (Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary}) -2- that the springing is likely to vary on different cars, and each car produced will have to be tested and adjusted in this respect. 9. STEERING. Altogether too excessively stiff on this car. we should have endless complaints from drivers who had to negotiate traffic for three or four hours a day if all cars are as stiff as this. Such stiff steering would make it quite impossible for a lady ever to drive one of these cars. We understand, however, that P.N. and CWB. have tried E.A.C. cars at Derby with similar steering which have not been nearly so stiff. Therefore we feel that the stiffness only exists on this particular car. we shall be able to check this when the further 10,000 miles trials cars are sent to us at the end of this week. We are generally of opinion that in our endeavour to obtain greater degree of irreversibility we have gone too far in the direction of obtaining a lower gear, with the result that the well-known Rolls-Royce characteristic of easy steering has been lost and the very undesirable necessity of increased movement of the steering wheel has become necessary. Anything that can be done to obviate this would be greatly appreciated. we realise that this is solely a matter of degree, but our feeling is that the degree has gone too far in the direction of low gear, which has caused considerable discomfort to the driver. 10. ENGINE VIBRATIONS are still not only present but appear to have increased, and the engine is very rough up to 20 m.p.h., especially in accelerating from low speeds. Above 20 m.p.h. it is excellent and the over run vibration considerably improved. 11. ROCKER COVERS. We should like to see a car with black finish, so that we might compare this with the aluminium finish. 12. FRONT WHEEL BRAKES. Still appear to be weaker than on other 40/50 h.p. cars we have tried. 13. AXLE NOISE. Too much, especially noticeable sitting in the back. we appreciate that this is a form of body which is apt to be noisy but we should much prefer quieter axles. We are hoping that the underframe will considerably reduce this noise when it is introduced. 14. EXCRESCENCE. The excrescence at the side of the bonnet for the steering arm fitting is exceedingly ugly. 15. EXHAUST SPIT. Still present and very objectionable. It is hoped that this is not a feature of the E.A.C. 16. KLAXON PUSH. We look forward to seeing a square cornered cover at the top of the steering column, in accordance with the latest suggested design. B.J. | ||