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).
Issues with the experimental coachwork car GZU-24, including crankshaft period, poor brakes, induction noise, and tyre performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 102\2\ scan0153 | |
| Date | 4th October 1934 | |
| RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} x5830 To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}..........from Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}7/IH.4.10.34. re:- GZU-24 - Experimental Coachwork Car. ----------------- When next we are bringing this car to Derby we would like to have certain chassis details attended to, as after Olympia, we shall want to lend the car to various members of Sales. (1) There is a bad crankshaft period at about 50 miles an hour on top gear, which we think has something to do with the slipper drive needing attention. (2) The brakes are very poor. This car has got the centralised chassis lubrication on the Servo, which we know causes the Servo lining to become oily. We would like this feature brought up-to-date. Also, we seem to have got little or no braking on the front wheels, consequently, on a wet day in London, it is very difficult to stop. (3) The petrol filler needs a vent fitting to it, so as to enable the tank to breathe outside the body. The filler is built in. (4) The induction noise is so great that it is very difficult for us to appreciate the benefits we have made in the coachwork in connection with wind noises, general noises in the body and booming. If you could do so it would help us if we could have an air silencer on the carburettor. It may be of interest to know that we had Michelin Zigzag Tread Tyres on the rear wheels, which were nearly new. These skidded in the forward direction only so badly on the wet London roads, that we have had to change them to Dunlop Silent Fort. We have discussed the matter with Michelin's and they say they are surprised. When one thinks about it one can see that there is very little reason why Michelin Zigzag Tread should be much better than the original Palmer Cord. We are going to have these Michelin Covers cut by the Tecalemit process and then use them on the car again. The Jackal Hydraulic Jacks are functioning quite well. Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} ----- | ||