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).
Customer complaints of car overheating and potential solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 24\4\ Scan084 | |
| Date | 16th August 1923 | |
| W/S PN.{Mr Northey} EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}8/H16.8.23. re F.E. Sydney's 40/50 Car. With reference to your PN{Mr Northey}6/PN{Mr Northey}31.7.23. and your PN{Mr Northey}13/EN/27.7.23, I have now had an opportunity of discussing this matter with Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} As a matter of fact, this is only one of a number of similar complaints we have received, especially with cars used on the Continent. Mr Sydney appears to have covered the matter very completely, as to the action he has taken to overcome his trouble temporarily, and we think it would be a good thing for you to send on his report complete to R.{Sir Henry Royce} The present position on this job is that we do not wish to increase the size of the radiator in order to overcome the overheating under the worst possible conditions, as otherwise 90% of the time the engine will be working under inefficient conditions due to being too cold etc. The only temporary expedient we have at present is that of fixing a higher speed fan, but this has not been definitely approved as a standard fitting, and is only being used in exceptional cases. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} and myself have promised to see R.{Sir Henry Royce} at West WitteringHenry Royce's home town on the 22nd. inst., and possibly you will mention that this matter could be brought up for discussion then. You might at the same time express to R.{Sir Henry Royce} what are your personal experiences and opinion as to the overheating of the 40/50 and 20-HP car generally, and whether you consider the complaint is sufficiently serious to warrant action being taken. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||