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 found during a week of use of a Wraith car ending December 20th.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 6\6\ 06-page400 | |
| Date | 20th December 1937 | |
| To Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Sym. from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/AP.20.12.37. WRAITH CAR USED WEEK ENDING DEC.20th. We have the following comments to make on this car. (1) STARTING After 3 1/2 hours night running the car refused to start the next morning after standing in an un-heated Garage until the ballast resistance was shorted. Three hours day-light running were indulged in and the next morning the car started without any difficulty, having been left outside all night. It would therefore appear that when a large current is being taken out of the battery by the starter the coil will not produce a satisfactory spark at the plugs. The spark appeared to be very weak when we looked at it. We should like to know whether we are worse off now than we have been previously. We should also like particulars of the coil being used and the coil specification to be put on the cam which gives information relative to experiments. We should like you to see Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/RC.{R. Childs} regarding a means of shorting the ballast resistance automatically when the starter motor is in action. .......... (2) The gear lever is difficult to move from bottom gear under cold conditions. .......... (3) A piston knock comes up for a short time which appeared to be in one of the rear three cylinders. .......... (4) The impression of a good ride at low speed was spoilt by the noise from the suspension even with the control in the soft position. .......... (5) The valve springs were noisy at certain speeds. .......... (6) There appeared to be too much friction in the steering when cold to allow it to self-centre. Is this amount of friction required to stop low speed wobbles.? ......... continued | ||