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 on a car's performance, detailing issues with suspension and benefits of recent modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 108\1\ scan0366 | |
| Date | 18th February 1938 | |
| -2- Hml/R.18.2.38. tried the car are still present, but we do not believe they are bad enough to stop the car being produced. They should be susceptible to normal development work. Curiously enough, the shock absorber control which did not give sufficient damping in the hard position when the car was in England is now working perfectly satisfactorily in France without anything having been done to it, and we consider that the suspension is a very good compromise. It is, therefore, only necessary to ensure that we can make all cars as satisfactory as this one. The trouble with pivots tightening up, which was discovered before the car left England has been reproduced under Continental conditions; the needle roller design instructed for the first twelve cars is expected to overcome the trouble. There are a number of other small points, such as, inadequate clearance between various items, and in-correct brake rod lengths, but these are not serious and are being dealt with forthwith. Briefly, therefore, up to date, the test has called for no major alteration in the proposed production programme. 6.B.IV. The modification to the steering, tyres, engine characteristics and gearbox have indicated what a large improvement can be made on a chassis without a complete basic re-design. This car undoubtedly represents a bigger improvement than we have ever previously made since the Bentley was produced. The column shake complained of is in evidence on very bad roads, but will not worry customers under ordinary touring conditions. The overdrive gearbox means that the touring revolutions on fast French main roads are in the neighbour-hood of 3,500. We anticipate that with this ratio we shall cease to have any bearing troubles. The fuel and oil consumption benefit quite appreciably. The absence of fuss and noise on the overdrive is very pleasing. | ||