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).
Tester's report on the general running and suspension performance of car 19-EX.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179b\3\ img130 | |
| Date | 30th January 1913 | |
| COPY OF TESTER'S REPORT. To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 30.1.13. 19-EX. The general running of the car has been quite satisfactory. On Sunday I accompanied Mr. Slater and also on Saturday. On Saturday, as you will see when you receive his report, we did very fast run with the rear Hartfords slacked off and the conclusion we arrived at was that they could be dispensed with. On Sunday I fitted the tap and gauge and also put up the relief valve to 24 lbs. the pressure at 60 M.P.H. being 20 lbs. rising to 24 lbs. at 70 M.P.H. and maintaining this for the rest of the speed range. The min. position of the tap gives a comfortable ride at low speeds especially without the Hartfords. With the tap in the maximum position after 30 M.P.H. the riding under all conditions is good and the control of the car is very good at all speeds and all conditions, the steering being positive and not suffering from reaction in the roughest of gutters and bad cambers. With the Hartfords on the front set at 50 lbs. the car feels very nice and solid in front and the steering has a feeling of extreme steadiness which of course makes one feel very confident of what one can do. With the Hartfords slacked off the steering is what one might term softer, the wheel having more movement, but this is not jerky and actually one does not feel any loss of control. Possibly with higher maximum poundage this movement would be less but as it is the steering is really very good and also the riding in the back. This is especially noticeable when taking bumps at high speeds there being very little tendency for the passengers to leave the seat and the rebound is most effectively damped. The dampers are showing no signs of oil leaks and the control system is generally speaking dry, with the exception of the banjos on the governor box which show signs of leaking but the amount of oil lost is very small. The dampers remain tight in the frame and show no signs of fidgeting. The front damper levers touch the tyres on full lock. I.D.S.L. | ||