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).
Road test report on the Continental Phantom III vehicle, detailing performance and issues from a trip to North Wales.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 92\6\ scan0155 | |
| Date | 19th May 1937 | |
| 300B 19.5.37 CONTINENTAL P.III. REPORT ON 39-EX. - Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} to N.Wales. Miles 321 Petrol consumed 31 galls. Cons. 10.3 m.p.g. Features of interest Engine:- Lightened Packard crankshaft. Flexible flywheel. Chassis:- Alum. rear brake drums. Single shoe for hand and foot brake. (1) Slight rumble from engine 45 m.p.h. worse forward than over-run, feels like out of balance (not noticed by passengers). (2) No period at 50 in 3rd, 70 m.p.h. in top. (3) For the first time, the crank period at 50 m.p.h. in top was not observable when resting one's foot on the clutch pedal. (4) Detonation bad up to 35 m.p.h. (Ethyl fuel). (5) Warming up noise of tappets not passable. At other times tappets inaudible in the car. (6) Idling good. (7) Oil pump noise, cold, very embarrassing in a public place. -------- (8) Too much rear braking. (9) Pedal return spring must be stronger to make sure stop light does not stay on when car is parked. (10) Insufficient rear axle shock damping when braking at high speeds. Less flexible drums and consequent greater effect of geometry errors probably make this more noticeable. continued | ||