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).
Test report on vehicle 19-EX after completing 10,000 miles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 182\M18\ img067 | |
| Date | 15th August 1932 | |
| HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} C HP C'WOR{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}- Lix5/T15.8.32. TEST OF 19-EX AFTER 10,000 MILES. Generally speaking the running of this car is very good. The engine smoothness is good and there does not appear to be any signs of crankshaft periods. The performance for power and speed is excellent. There is less "fuss" at high speeds on third gear than we are getting on production. Assuming that the speedometer is right the car fairly easily attained a speed of 70 m.p.h. on this gear. With regard to noise. The third gear on this car is really silent - it is definitely quieter than the average we are obtaining on production. Personally I am very pleased to note the attempt which has been made to delete the reverse plunger on the gear lever, this on the standard car is very difficult, not only to operate, but it digs in the palm of ones hand every time the gear lever is used. The steering is excellent. The general absence of joggling and ease of control is most marked. If this improvement has been effected by the introduction of the "semi-shackle", the adoption of this is going to be well worth while. Very definitely we do not obtain steerings like this, even when cars are brand new. I think it will now be useful to criticise a few points which are parallel with similar troubles we experience on production chassis. (1) Clutch Stopping. The clutch definitely does not stop, particularly when the car is thoroughly warm. This is not a case which can be overcome by the use of a clutch brake, as the clutch will again commence to revolve if it has been deliberately stopped by offering up the third gear. There are several features which may cause this, but in our opinion the main trouble is, that there is insufficient clearance between the rotor and stator when the clutch is disengaged. contd- | ||