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 driver's feedback report on vehicle handling and controls.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 83\2\ scan0333 | |
| Date | 30th April 1938 | |
| - 2 - in spite of this it was less pleasant to operate, in my opinion, than that on B.23-AE. which I took on the same run two years ago. There is a hydraulic scheme of assistance which seems likely to be very satisfactory and which some day we may wish to use. The assistance given is a constant percentage of the applied load. Variations of pedal position due to wear are of no consequence. Suspension. Bad, due I understand to the Armstrong dampers not functioning as intended. Rod controls are clearly not a success. Steering. Was good. Self centring was rather heavy. No shocks noticed. Car appeared to skid equally front and rear on corners. Brakes. Light to operate, but maximum retardation not outstanding. Easily made to thump, and gave sensation of irregular action as the car came to rest. Thumping due, I understand, to being in need of adjustment. Accelerator Pedal. I found the spring too weak at very small throttle openings. In 30 m.p.h. areas, for instance, the pedal would not support the weight of the foot, which I found tiring. I find that the load to commence opening the throttle is 2 1/2 lbs. Various standard Bentleys give 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 lbs. There appears to be more variation than is desirable, and that 6-B-1V. is at the low end of the range. The load to fully depress is 6 lbs. 25/30 and Wraith are about the same, but Phantom lll commences at 6 lbs. and terminates at 8 lbs. I am aware that there have been complaints of too much load, but I believe these applied to the full depression. Foot Dipping Switch. Needed too much pressure in my opinion. Measurement gives 13 lbs. L.A. says they vary a great deal. | ||