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).
Poor performance of a demonstration car, chassis 59-PK, and proposed rectifications.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 73\3\ scan0210 | |
Date | 24th September 1924 | |
L9940 PN{Mr Northey}2/DN24.9.24. TO Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} FROM PN{Mr Northey} Re Chassis No/ 59-PK. I have given this car a run with a view to finding it suitable as one of the five cars we hope to have available for the Press Demonstration on the 10th October in respect of 4-wheel brakes. I find that the brakes on this car appear to be alright, but that otherwise the car is a very poor example of a Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP. The engine has very little power, is wretched at acceleration and hill-climbing, and moreover, appears to have troublesome, periodic vibrations, which either alone or in combination with an axle which is not too good, causes the body to be a serious "boomer"; so much so that we should not be able to use this car unless we could very much improve its condition. I have instructed Bk{A. Birkett - Commercial Manager} to find, if possible, today a better axle which we shall immediately try on this car with a view to improving it, and if I do not find this effective, I shall propose to send the car back to you in order that either another engine shall be fitted, or the same engine improved in respect of the points complained of above. There is, of course, not very much time to deal with this case in view of the importance of getting the demonstration cars definitely O.K. in time for the demonstration. May we take it that the Open car which you are going to find available for the demonstration, will be a good example of a 40/50 HP Rolls-Royce in general respects, and not only brakes ? PN{Mr Northey} P.T.O. | ||