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).
The cooling and performance tests of a 20 HP chassis, noting issues with radiator shutters and slow speed performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 77\4\ scan0333 | |
| Date | 30th July 1923 | |
| X4240 PN{Mr Northey}13/DN/30.7.23. TO Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} FROM PN.{Mr Northey} Re 20 H.P. Cooling. X766 X.4240 I am obliged for your Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}4/LG27.7.23 with attached graph relating to cooling tests. After my previous report concerning the 20 H.P. chassis which had over-heated, it was found that the radiator shutters did not properly open fully, and consequently a fresh test was made last Saturday over the same ground, at the same speed, after the operation of the shutters had been made correct. The temperature of the atmosphere on this occasion was as low as 21°. The wind in the direction in which the car was moving was about 20 m.p.h. and the temperature rose to 92.5°, the speed of the car being approximately 95 kilos an hour over two miles distance. The body weight, including two passengers, was 1,064 lbs., the axle 11/50 ratio. This chassis will eventually have a Landaulet body weighing 1,008 lbs. I do not feel at all satisfied with the slow speed pulling performance of this chassis. Its high speed appears to be good enough, considering that there will be fitted a Landaulet body. It is disappointing that the performance does not come up to our ordinary standard in spite of the axle being the low gear ratio. During the above test, the fan belt was definitely tight. [Signature] PRN P.N. | ||