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).
Car's performance, focusing on balloon tyre wobble, wheel shimmy, and brief evaluations of the engine, clutch, and gearbox.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\O\2January1926-March1926\ Scan53 | |
| Date | 1st February 1926 guessed | |
| contd :- -3- balloon tyre wobble which commenced at 40 m.p.h. and was sustained up to 50 m.p.h. which was the maximum speed we reached. On stopping the car to check the tyre pressures, it was found that one tyre had lost considerable pressure. The mechanical inflation pump driven off the engine failed to function. The tyre was finally inflated to 50 lbs/sq.in. at a garage, having dropped to 30 lbs/sq.in. The other tyre proved to have a pressure of 50 lbs/sq.in. shewing that the demonstrators were fully aware of the possibility of wheel 'shimmy', and had blown the tyres to this pressure before the run to guard against the phenomenon occurring. With the tyres in this condition, slight wheel wobble occurred even when the demonstrator was driving. The general impression produced by this car is that the makers have in no way solved the wheel wobble problem. They have adopted palliatives which we have rejected, and only succeeded in producing a car with a very objectionable steering but not immune from wobbles. We should say that after six months service the owner of the car we tried would be forced to revert to high pressure tyres. ENGINE: Tappets noisy. Generally fairly obtrusive on the road having a definite roar when using full power for accelerating or hill climbing. Not particularly smooth, there being a general vibration without any particular period. CLUTCH. Very light operation. Does not stop sufficiently quickly. Shudders when used roughly. GEARBOX. Three-speed central change. Easy change. contd :- | ||