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).
The running condition and design flaws of a recently arrived Mercedes car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 22\5\ Scan053 | |
| Date | 6th July 1910 | |
| X607 6th July 1910. Claude Johnson, Esq., London. Dear C.J., Re Mercedes Car. The Mercedes arrived on Saturday evening with a report that it had run well, but that the gearing was noisy and the engine chirped. The chirps, I think, is blowing through the piston, but on Sunday when testing a bad ignition knock occurred at slow speed, but only on one cylinder. (Since proved to be No. 1 & 2 which fire after accurately) One point has been overlooked, that is, that it should have had a double cone clutch instead of coil clutch, which is bad. From a running point of view English makers need have nothing to fear. These people must be living on their reputation. I am not well acquainted with the running of a 4-cylinder engine, but this although very small strikes me as being very poor. (Tremendous vibrations, worse than our old ones). At the end of a small pull the engine is very harsh. I put this down to the oil, and on enquiry find they use Vacuum. We are putting in Prices to see if there is any difference. I think there are a few points of clever design, but I don't expect many. | ||