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 hill-climbing performance of a 40/50 HP car in North Devon.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 30\6\ Scan177 | |
| Date | 1st February 1924 | |
| R.R. 403A (40 H) (SL 42 12-7-23). J.H., D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} EXPERIMENTAL REPORT. Expl. No. REF:Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rs{Sir Henry Royce's Secretary}/LGS. 2. 24. HILL CLIMBING PERFORMANCE - NORTH DEVON. The following hills were climbed by a 40/50 HP. Landaulette, loaded to 55 cwts., axle ratio 15 X 52. Chassis No. 9.PK. Porlock. Steepest grade 1 in 4½ on which a standing start was made - 1st. hairpin rounded on second speed. 1st. speed required afterwards. Surface heavy. Countisbury. Steepest grade 1 in 4½. Climbed easily on 1st. speed. Surface heavy. Lynton. Steepest grade 1 in 4. Unable to negotiate hairpin on a single lock - standing start accomplished comfortably. Surface very loose and heavy. Chains fitted to driving wheels. Beggars Roost. Steepest grade 1 in 3 for a few yards (local intelligence). Just climbed, engine revs falling off on the steepest portion. Surface bad. Chains fitted. Barton Steep. Gradient slightly less than that of Beggars Roost. Surface much better - climbed comfortably. The most noticeable feature on the 40/50 was the loss of lock, it being necessary to use reverse more than once to get round acute corners. The Hispano Suiza only just climbed Porlock hill when loaded up to 55 cwts. This car also failed to make a standing start on anything steeper than 1 in 7. The 40/50 was observed to boil on these tests - the Hispano did not lose any water even after five attempts at standing starts on Porlock hill and a final ascent of the hill. ***************** | ||