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).
Customer complaint letter regarding electrical and overheating issues with chassis No. 49-AE.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 24\4\ Scan268 | |
| Date | 3rd October 1924 | |
| COPY KLAUS STRASSE 24, ZURICH. October 3rd.,1924. The Managing Director, Messrs. Rolls-Royce, Ltd., LONDON. Coachbuilders date 14.3.21. Dear Sir, CHASSIS No. 49-AE. With further reference to previous correspondence, it is my intention to bring my car to London towards the end of this month so that we may have the pistons replaced, as arranged. However, as the car has not given satisfaction in other respects I should like to ascertain whether you can do anything to improve matters and what is to be done. The main trouble is in the electric system. There is a short circuit somewhere which we have been unable to locate, but it is probably in the wiring itself. This has caused a steady discharging of the battery and necessitated having it recharged frequently, which is particularly unpleasant when touring. The short circuit comes and goes off probably through the shakings. It also would seem that the discharging is accentuated by the fact that the dynamo comes into action only at a speed of about 20 miles. A further complaint is, that the car overheats when it is run for several miles on the second at over 16 miles p.h. or on the third at a correspondingly higher speed, and probably for this reason does not climb well at high altitudes. Probably you have had similar complaints with other cars of the same type, and I should be glad to know what you propose doing to remedy it. The defects are such that I do not enjoy the car when touring, and unless it can be changed to full satisfaction I should prefer to dispose of it when in London. There are some minor defects which I shall write about later, and which, no doubt, can easily be put right. May I ask you to let me know your views at an early date. Yours truly, (Sd) E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Hurliman. | ||