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).
Expressing concern over the 15,000-mile test of car 28-EX, its rubber mountings, steering, and road holding qualities.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 11\5\ 05-page193 | |
| Date | 12th October 1934 | |
| x7941 To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} re 28-EX. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}7/E12.10.34 Copy to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}E. I do not appear to have received any reply to my Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}2/E9.10.34 asking for information regarding the result of the 15,000 Miles test. I am rather concerned about this matter for the following reasons: You will remember that, when I first saw the early reports, I expressed the opinion that the car ought to have been recalled, as it appeared quite evident that the rubber mounting had had such a bad effect on other features, such as the steering, as to render it quite impossible. I was informed that alterations had been made and the later reports certainly indicated a distinct improvement. Arrangements were made, however, for Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} and Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} to combine a trial of this car with a visit to the Paris Show and I was hoping to have heard the result. In Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}17/KW.9.10.34 re Visit to the Paris Show, reference is made to body rattles and the road holding qualities being disappointing but nothing is said about the steering and general controllability of the car, which I understood from Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} is very bad and not such as we could possibly contemplate standardising. I am not quite sure how we stand in regard to standardising semi-rubber mounting for the P.II and it is on this particular point in particular that I should like to have information. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||