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).
Letter to M. Olley at Cadillac discussing synchromesh rattles, crankshaft bearings and comparing a Cadillac's performance to the Phantom II.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 170\2\ img199 | |
| Date | 26th August 1934 | |
| cy Exptl. Dept. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}5/KW. 26th August, 1934. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Olley Esq., c/o.{Mr Oldham} The Cadillac Motor Car Co., Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. Dear Oy., Thank you very much for your letter on synchromesh rattles and stepped crankshaft bearings. The Cadillac has had a mixed reception here; W.O. Bentley, for instance, is exceedingly enthusiastic about it, Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} is not very greatly impressed but then I do not think he has driven the car far enough to be in a position to give a reasoned opinion as to its merits. My own feelings so far are that the steering, directional stability and riding comfort are the outstanding features of the car. The brakes do not give one any confidence under English road conditions. The engine silence is very good but we cannot understand why you put up with so much "tinniness" from the exhaust pipes. This quite spoils the silence of the car judged from the driving seat under low speed pick-up. At high speeds of course the general silence and smoothness of the car is delightful, but our own Phantom II with the rubber engine mounting is really quite good once outside the torque reaction range. We are a little disappointed with the top speed but of course the car I tried in America had not the lower axle ratio, actually our car lapped Brooklands at 87.64 M.P.H. The Phantom we are at present selling laps at 86 M.P.H. I was somewhat puzzled to know how you got 100 M.P.H. with 180 clutch horse power, but perhaps you would let me have some time speeds for the three axle ratios, which you probably have, so that if our car is not up to standard we can make the necessary adjustments. | ||