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).
Cadillac's poor handling on bad roads and issues with noisy tappets, compared to the 28 EX model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 125\2\ scan0150 | |
| Date | 16th November 1934 | |
| Re the Cadillac. We appreciate the views that sales may take re the average speeds, but we can assure you that the car is being driven over the bad roads, just as fast if not faster than 28 EX. was, but the maximum average speed is not so good. One reason being is that it is not so easily controlled; it is a handfull on the badly cambered roads, and the experience of us all is, we dont know just what is going to happen. With the higher ~~geared~~ steering on 28 EX. we knew just how far to turn the steering to correct that rear sliding, and one always felt confident that the car was under control. It is not so with this car. one other feature that sales may not realise is, we are driving nine or more hours in the dark, as against two hours at the most with 28 EX. The Cadillac ought to have been out at the same time as 28 EX. we have had abominable weather, not a dry road since we came. The fog has also been prominent during the latter part of the days run. we are not making any excuses, but wish you to know the conditions that the car is running under. The quiet tappets are a failure. at slow running speeds they are now very noisy. The fault being that the plunger valves are not maintaining the oil pressure and are allowing the movement of the eccentric bearings to take place. it is these eccentric bearings hitting the plungers that is creating a noise like sloppy pistons. we are not interfering with them as they are supposed to be O.K. Changing of oil and clearing of filters has been strictly adhered to, as reccomended. G.W.H. | ||