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).
Page 2 of a vehicle comparison report detailing steering, gears, brakes, and body performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 127\2\ scan0004 | |
| Date | 1st May 1928 | |
| (2) OWB10/GM/1.5.28. to be 1 to 4.56. The particular car which I was trying performed better than our own on the various test hills round Hampstead. I understand its complete weight was 2 tons 8 cwts. 3. STEERING. Steering did not impress me very favourably although it is more direct than ours and under all the conditions of test was very free from road shock. It is just reversible. At low speeds it is definitely stiffer than our steering and I should think the actual gear ratio was rather lower than our own. Steering lock is definitely inferior to ours. On the particular car tried there appeared to be some slight looseness, probably due to lack of adjustment in the steering mechanism which did not make a favourable impression. 4. GEARS AND BACK AXLE. Car has 3 speed gear box and the gears while good for American gears are much inferior to ours. The back axle was excellent. 5. BRAKES. Brakes are good but need very heavy foot pressure to operate them. There is no servo fitted and I understand the brakes are of the type with so called self energising shoes. The hand brake is almost useless. 6. BODY. Body, which was of American make, was very well turned out and showed obvious attention to detail. The cushioning and squabbing was very comfortable and suited the springing of the car excellently. General impression given by this car is certainly one of extreme comfort and of fine acceleration and from these two points of view it is certainly very good indeed and at the price must tend to be a competitor to anyone requiring a high powered large car who does not fully appreciate the refinements which we are able to give. I attach certain literature which gives more information about the chassis prices etc. OWB. CWS | ||