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).
Sales and summarizing complaints about the Cadillac 16.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 125\1\ scan0036 | |
| Date | 20th May 1930 | |
| X1729 To: Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Oy. C. Wep. C. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} C. Sun. C. Rg.{Mr Rowledge} ----------------------- Oy2/DM.{D. Munro}20.5.30. Cadillac 16. Attached is a picture and some descriptive matter from two sources (Ainsworth and the H.H. Franklin Co.) on Cadillac 16. Also, a note from Hosac of 1000 V.16 sales in three months! We do not have prices but understand they run a little higher than Lincoln, about £1,600 - £2,000. We have sent technical descriptive matter several months ago, particularly on the automatic tappet adjustment, vacuum servo brakes, etc. A summary of their complaints is interesting. (1) Riding quality and steering. From Ainsworth's description the car is evidently very soft-sprung in front to get a low pitching frequency on such a long wheelbase (148"). The shock absorbers, presumably double-acting Lovejoys, the standard General Motors product, are obviously not a patch on ours - they lack "forced filling" - and give undamped action at high speeds on rough roads. Rolling and spongy steering appear to confirm that the Cadillac 16 is repeating Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}'s findings on the difficulties of very soft front springs on P.II. (2) Swerving on the brakes. Lack of axle control. (3) High oil temperatures. (4) Fuel consumption 6½ m.p.g. U.S. = 7.8 miles per Imperial gallon. This would not be considered a serious fault in U.S. (5) Jellying of front end of frame. Incipient shimmy, and corresponding steering-reactions. (Spare wheels are carried at side). cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} | ||