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).
Dangerous test drive experience with a car exhibiting severe brake judder and front-wheel wobble.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 88\2\ scan0070 | |
| Date | 26th November 1934 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} F.{Mr Friese} Lp.{Mr Lappin} re 4-B-IV. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}6/E26.11.34 With reference to the above car which Lp.{Mr Lappin} uses, as it has one or two non-standard features, i.e. higher compression engine, I arranged to try this car. I regret to say that as the result I consider it a dangerous and unsafe motor-car. My experience is as follows: The car was washed on Friday but owing to the weather I did not use it at all on Saturday, but Kennett took it out 'round the houses' to dry the brakes off. I took it out Sunday morning. The brakes juddered badly when pulling up to a stop from quite low speed. This was like the original brake judder which occurred when the brakes were wet, but I thought we had changed the material and overcome this to a large extent. The same thing happened on another occasion, but the worst feature and the one which causes me to say that it is a dangerous and unsafe car was at the end of the day and after a total mileage of about 70, when there could be no question of wet brakes. I had started at Hyde Park Corner from the traffic lights and was accelerating; at a speed of about 40 I had to apply the brakes when a most appalling judder was set up and at the same moment an alarming front wheel wobble occurred - in fact the worst I have ever experienced, and had there been anything in my way, I could not have avoided it. My feeling was such that, had I been a passenger, I should have asked to be allowed to get out and walk home! The shock damper control was set in the mid-way position. Lp.{Mr Lappin} has gone to Paris to-day so I have been unable to ask him if he has had any similar experiences, but in any case I consider the car unsafe for him or any one else to use until this trouble has been seen to, and should be glad to hear immediately what you propose to do. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||