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 and comparative analysis of a Buick Straight Eight car, noting adverse comments.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 124\3\ scan0301 | |
| Date | 21th January 1935 | |
| Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} +3317 EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}6/MH.{M. Huckerby}21.1.35 re TEST OF BUICK CAR (Straight Eight) (Assume 30.6 H.P., medium size, 78.5 x 117.5) Generally very nice running car, and certainly gives a very favourable comparison with our 25 H.P. or Phantom II for sweet running, and yet Bentley performance, acceleration, liveliness, etc. Features for adverse comments are as follows :- (1) Lighting system - strength of the lights (voltage) varying considerably. Whether the dynamo is charging or otherwise, even at constant car speeds, the light is varying alternatively bright and dull. I do not believe this is part of the design, and suspect faulty working such as faulty control or bad low tension connections. Should like a report on the cure of this trouble, as discussed with Wst. this morning. (2) The engine is good as regards fuss, noise, roar, etc; at the same time it does not shake the frame with T.R. or when idling, like our present 25 H.P. Present idling, however, cannot be called really good. Slow running; if reduced in speed, vibration under idling conditions may show up more seriously. The movement of the engine in the frame was quite manifest by feel and noise (squeaking); at the same time, this was not very pronounced, as in other American cars which I have tried. (3) Retard action on the car when lifting the accelerator pedal after accelerating is distinctly marked. Passengers remark on sudden disagreeable "brake action". | ||