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).
Typed report on the road test performance and criticisms of car 34-EX.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 96\3\ scan0092 | |
| Date | 28th May 1936 | |
| S/V.{VIENNA} Mxr. c. to Eg. c. " Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. " E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. " EF. x360 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}12/KW28.5.36. re- 34-EX. I thought you would be interested to have any comments, either favourable or otherwise, about this car after my journey down with it yesterday. The car generally speaking ran very well and seemed exceptionally fast, as on one stretch of road the speedometer registered 105. I was a little bit dubious of this and so I had the speedometer checked at A.Ts this morning, with the following results - At 60 m.p.h. actual the speedometer was showing 64½, and from this they have calculated that at 100 m.p.h. the speedometer would be showing 108. On this basis of calculation - which A.T. have assured me is quite correct - this shows an actual speed of 98, which I thought very creditable indeed. The conditions were of course favourable but the body not one conducive to high speed. The way in which this car cruised easily with the speedometer round the 80 mark was quite astounding. On the other side of the scale I have the following criticisms to offer : (1) The clutch jaggers and could at times be quite unpleasant, although with care can be avoided. It is not so good as I had expected it would be in this respect. (2) The clutch did not seem to stop rotating when engaging 1st or reverse from neutral. I had to use the s/m mechanism to stop it. (3) The temperature, travelling fairly fast, was as previously round about 95° C. (4) The brakes squeaked but this worked off during the journey. (5) Crossing the very sharp humpback bridges of Watling Street at a speed of not more than 30 m.p.h. there was an audible knock as the wheels passed over the crown of the hump and fell away on the far side. This knock coincided with the moment of expansion of the front springs. This is the best way I can describe when it occurred. I noticed it very definitely twice on two different bridges. (contd) | ||