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).
Impressions and feedback report on the performance of an experimental 20 HP Chassis, 9-G-III.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 57\1\ Scan283 | |
| Date | 12th January 1927 | |
| 15770 S/W. {Sales / Derby Works} PN {Mr Northey} 7/EH.12.1.27. To Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} , Copy to CWB. 20 H.P. Chassis - 9-G-III. In reply to your Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 1/LG11.1.27, the following are a few impressions we had in respect of this experimental car. The steering was very free and, under the conditions tested, remarkably free from joggle, whilst the directional control was quite positive. It was found, however, that a little more friction would have been an advantage, for on two occasions when decelerating from high speed what felt like an incipient high speed wobble was noticed at about 55 m.p.h. down to 45 m.p.h., although an actual wobble did not, in fact, develop. The rear hydraulic shock absorbers did not appear to be of the standard type. In any case, we felt that they were altogether less effective than was necessary when the car reached us. It was possible to cause the rear wheels to jagger badly and fail to hold the road by applying the brake at all seriously on a surface containing the ordinary pot holes. This condition was undoubtedly improved if the back of the car was loaded up. The front shock dampers appeared to be very effective whilst still enabling riding to be easy. The petrol level gauge on the dashboard worked well, but its readings did not appear to be correct. It is understood that the zero datum of this gauge starts with one gallon in the tank. If this is so, it should surely be calibrated accordingly. It is also noted that the reading will vary by some 10%, according to whether petrol or benzole may be in use. The oval frame to the indicator of this gauge is thought to be very ugly, ~~and if it is thought to standardise this fitting, which is considered very desirable,~~ it is thought that a plain black rectangular frame will be more in keeping with the type of indicator than an oval shape. With a 50% mixture of benzole and petrol the engine did not pink at all, but otherwise the amount of pinking was quite impracticable. The effect of the increase in compression was continued... | ||