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 for the 32.5 HP Packard Super Eight Saloon from The Autocar magazine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 127\2\ scan0075 | |
| Date | 5th May 1939 | |
| May 5th, 1939. [Handwritten]: 1086 769 The Autocar THE AUTOCAR ROAD TESTS No. 1,276.—32.5 h.p. PACKARD SUPER EIGHT SALOON [Column 1] IN general reckoning the Packard is one of the select few imported cars considered above nationality, that is to say, it is respected as a fine car, and ranks as much more than just an American machine offering value for money as the principal attraction. Especially does this apply to the straight eight models in which this foremost American firm have specialised for many years. The 32.5 h.p. Super Eight is a decidedly big car, with a wheelbase of 10ft. 7in., carrying a six-seater saloon body and providing a performance that is notable as much for silence and smoothness as for its real liveliness. In obvious matters such as the general appearance and external finish, including the engine, and in the whole road behaviour, there is the underlying vein of quality that is to some extent indefinable in mechanical matters, but immediately recognisable by those who know good cars. An engine could scarcely be quieter or smoother than this 5¼-litre straight eight is at all speeds or provide a nearer approach to top-gear flexibility. Not infrequently, at tick-over speeds there is a doubt as to whether or not the engine [Column 2] is running, so quiet is it and so little can it be felt. On this year's models an overdrive is fitted, termed the Econdrive. The stepped-up indirect top ratio thus provided is 3.28 to 1 compared with the 4.54 to 1 normal top gear. On the Econdrive the car can run as fast as roads in this country permit with astonishingly little suggestion of an engine doing the work. Also, to judge by extensive lapping of Brooklands track, which is 2.75 miles round, during the recording of timed speed figures the Packard could be driven at sustained high speed in Continental road conditions without distress. An oil temperature regulating device is incorporated whereby the supply is circulated through a small water-jacketed radiator, an engine's water temperature, of course, being relatively low in relation to oil temperature. During ordinary main-road motoring a driver is frequently led to referring to the speedometer to verify the rate, owing to the exceptionally deceptive ease of travel at 60, 70, and even 80 m.p.h. The instrument read high, but allowance for that point is implied in the foregoing remark. At 30 the speedometer was 2.7 m.p.h. fast, rising to 5.8 at 50, and 8.3 at 70, whilst the 100 reading was shown at 90 m.p.h. exactly by stop-watch. The fact that this roomy and comfortable car is able to reach 90 m.p.h., given sufficient road space, is not nearly as important as its general manner of progress at low and medium and normally fast speeds. It possesses characteristics of a carriage combined with those of a modern high-speed conveyance. As to hills, the 1 in 6½ test gradient was taken, with three up, on top gear at appreciably over 20 m.p.h. as a minimum, the approach being made at the customary 40 m.p.h. rate on overdrive top, and ordinary top being engaged about midway. That is a valuable feature of the overdrive employed, namely, the ability to return at any time to ordinary top gear for climbing purposes or to give extra acceleration. The throttle pedal is fully depressed and a solenoid- [Data Box] DATA FOR THE DRIVER 32.5 H.P. PACKARD SUPER EIGHT SALOON. 5-5-39 PRICE, with four-door six-light saloon body, £895. Tax, £24 15s. RATING : 32.5 h.p., eight cylinders, s.v., 81 x 127 mm., 5,243 c.c. WEIGHT, without passengers, 38 cwt. 3 qr. 13 lb. L.B. PER C.C. : 0.83. TYRE SIZE : 7.00 x 16in. on bolt-on steel disc wheels. LIGHTING SET : 12-volt. Automatic voltage control. TANK CAPACITY: 16 gallons; approx. normal fuel consumption, 13-16 m.p.g. TURNING CIRCLE: (L. and R.{Sir Henry Royce}): 42ft. 6in. GROUND CLEARANCE: 7½in. ACCELERATION Overall gear ratios. From steady m.p.h. of 10 to 30 | 20 to 40 | 30 to 50 4.54 to 1 | 6.8 sec. | 7.2 sec. | 7.9 sec. 6.94 to 1 | 4.8 sec. | 5.9 sec. | 8.4 sec. 11.02 to 1 | 4.5 sec. From rest to 30 m.p.h. through gears ... 5.8 sec. To 50 m.p.h. through gears ... 13.5 sec. To 60 m.p.h. through gears ... 18.7 sec. To 70 m.p.h. through gears ... 28.7 sec. From rest up 1 in 5 gradient ... 5.2 sec. SPEED m.p.h. Mean maximum timed speed over ¼ mile ... 85.11 Best timed speed over ¼ mile ... 90.00 Speeds attainable on indirect gears (normal and maximum) :— 1st ... 22—33 Overdrive 1st ... 44 2nd ... 42—53 Overdrive 2nd ... 72 Speed from rest up 1 in 5 Test Hill (on 1st gear) ... 20.53 BRAKE TEST : Mean stopping distance from 30 m.p.h. (dry concrete), 31.5ft. WEATHER : Dry, mild; wind light, S.W. Barometer: 29.65in. Performance figures for acceleration and maximum speed are the means of several runs in opposite directions, with two up. C 23 [Dashboard Illustration Labels] Lights, Starter, Ignition, Throttle, Hand Brake, Wipers, Overdrive, Panel Light (Rheostat), Horn, Remote Control Gear Lever, Foglights, Anti-Dazzle, Indicators (Time). | ||