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 and performance review of a new car with a mock-up engine unit.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\4\ 04-page166 | |
| Date | 23th January 1933 | |
| r + 553 To H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Hor. c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Hdy.{William Hardy} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}C/MJ.23.1.33. BENTFORT. Dm.{D. Munro} and myself went to W.M. and back on this car last Friday. This car, as it is with a mock-up J.1 unit, on its first run is far better than any Sports car which is being sold today. This point can easily be proved by trying it against either the Alvis, Lagonda, or Alfa-Romeo. This is what we should expect because the engine and gearbox unit has been running for a year, and the identical model for eight months. The chassis axles, and steering, is peregrine, so that we should not expect much trouble. The new gearbox, when fitted, will certainly give more room in front but as it is at present there are many worse cars being sold. The smoothness of the engine is very good - equal to the present 25 HP. It is exceptionally good up to 95 M.P.H. For mechanical noises it is similar to the G.O.2, that is, very quiet. Induction exhaust noises we can make what we like. The speed of the car we have not been able to clock accurately but on the run to F.W. I should estimate the mean speed about 85 M.P.H. although on the undulating roads we touched 92 M.P.H. The control, steering, and brakes are wonderfully good and because of this you feel all the time that the car could go faster. It will run up to 73 M.P.H. on third gear but at that speed the master crank period can be felt. The crank fitted to this car has the Chrysler balance weight scheme which lowers the period. When we fit the standard S/G scheme we ought to reach 70 M.P.H. safely. The body is comfortable and roomy and the appearance is most attractive. It was surprising how much attention it attracted along the road. For a pure speed car the body and wings are too big. We believe with a properly designed small streamlined body this chassis without any further attention except gear ratio should be capable of lapping Brooklands at 100 M.P.H. - 1 - | ||