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).
Performance review of a 13 HP Lancia Aprilia, registration ELB.405.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 127\5\ scan0087 | |
| Date | 22th January 1942 | |
| To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Wym.{G. Harold Whyman - Experimental Manager} 1076 13 HP Lancia Aprilia - ELB.405. We have the following comments to make on the above car. ENGINE. Engine performance good. Very bad for engine roughness which we think can mainly be accounted for by the inferior type of engine mounting, engine is mounted ridgedly on laminated steel and Ferodo plates mounted on springs. Worse period in top gear 30 to 42 MPH. This period vibrates instruments and pedals. Torque reaction period 12 to 16 MPH. Carburation poor below 20 MPH. Engine clocks right out below 10 MPH. full throttle. Zenith carburettors fitted. CLUTCH. Inclined to judder. Pedal heavy to operate. Bad rattle from clutch operating mechanism when car is driven at 30 to 42 MPH on the engine period. GEAR BOX. First gear. Noisy. Second Gear Fairly good forward, noisy overrun. Third gear. Good. Slightly high pitched note forward. This box has no synchromesh, but the change from the third to top and vice versa is exceptionally easy. REAR AXLE. The axle is very good for a small car, only a light whine on overrun from 34 to 20 MPH. BRAKES. The brakes are quite effective but inclined to pull to the near side. - continued. | ||