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).
Road test feedback and points for improvement on a Close-coupled Wraith model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 6\6\ 06-page295 | |
| Date | 30th August 1937 | |
| Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Sym. from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 60a Hml/R.30.8.37. Close-coupled Wraith. On the whole this is now an exceedingly pleasant car. In order to get a better impression of the engine silence we should like you to put on a more silent fan, even though less efficient than could be desired. It seemed to be extraordinarily difficult to start this engine from cold, even though temperatures are not really low. On the other hand, if the car is allowed to run down hill under gravity it starts easily. This would give one the impression that the speed at which one starts the motor engine might, with advantage, be increased. The engine mounting seemed a good compromise, it was necessary to go down to 6 or 7 m.p.h. to get any bad torque reaction. We agree that it still thumps a little at the bottom. We should have thought that the rear mounting might have been made slightly more flexible with advantage. The clutch feels and smells as though there was oil on it. This is peculiar in view of the fact that it is one of the old type engines. The brake efficiency is disappointing after recent Wraith cars we have tried. We should like you to improve the efficiency. The engine seems to be a bit fluffy at intermediate speeds. The suspension and steering seem to be very satisfactory. For some reason the front did not hit the buffers as frequently as it has done in the past, possibly you have increased the front damper poundage. I think in the hard position one could do with a little more rear damping, but no more in the soft position. I would like you to investigate why the rear passengers cannot wear hats in this car. Is the body too low, or the rear seat too high? Does the rear seat have to be as high as it is, or has somebody helped themselves to about 6" on the cushion depth? Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||