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).
Test drive report offering an opinion on a car's gearbox, brakes, and its potential as a competitor to the 4 1/4 Bentley.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 128\1\ scan0302 | |
| Date | 4th February 1938 guessed | |
| -2- carrying out some experiments on these dampers which he did not think were up to standard. My impression of the run was that it was a very pleasant car and I much enjoyed myself, but I felt that personally one would get tired of the heavy synchro-mesh gear box and the slight engine gear note which was audible from the engine at most speeds. If both these points were improved and one got used to the feeling of hydraulic brakes I think one would have a very fine car indeed. I gather they have had a certain amount of brake judder with the Lockhead brakes, which they fit, which was noticeable at high speed. The car which I tried had had certain modifications carried out to overcome this trouble, and it certainly did not show up when I was driving. I think I have tried to be quite unbiassed in forming my opinion of the car, and I think that with a very small amount of work this chassis is undoubtedly going to be one that will have to be reckoned with as a competitor of the 4 1/4 Bentley. Perhaps I should point out that when I talk about low speed performance I merely mean acceleration from low speeds in top gear and not unpleasant rattles and snatches in the transmission. This latter is remarkably smooth and free from rattles. AA.{D. Abbot-Anderson} | ||