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 drive report on Lord Rocksavage's chassis after modifications, detailing performance figures and a comparison with a Packard.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 127\1\ scan0096 | |
| Date | 7th May 1920 | |
| x.435. PN.{Mr Northey} to CJ c. to R c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to C. c to E.F.C. PN{Mr Northey}6/DW7.5.20. RE LORD ROCKSAVAGE'S CHASSIS. 12.LW. X.435. X.4594 On Wednesday, the 5th.inst. I arranged for this car to meet me at Newmarket, driven there by Lord Rocksavage's chauffeur, Rasdall, from the Works. I then drove the car to Houghton Hall, which is apparently between 48 and 50 miles from Newmarket. The chassis has now been improved in various details. Attention has been given to the steering, which has now quite sufficient friction to produce any desired irreversibility; the engine has latest type pistons; the axle has been changed for a Gleason type. Generally, the car has been improved to a very remarkable degree. The engine is very 'free'. The speed on the level gets without any undue effort up to 77 miles an hour. At Brooklands, my impression is, the speed would reach at least 80. In fact, I ran at 80 miles an hour for some time, and my highest speed touched on a 'give and take' road 83. I pleased Lord Rocksavage especially by breaking his record between Newmarket and Houghton Hall, a distance which I covered under the hour. As the car stands, I am quite satisfied with its capacity for holding the road, and with the degree of irreversibility of the steering. I have no criticism to make on either of these points or speed. Lord Rocksavage having driven with me under similar conditions has expressed himself as being delighted in every way. When returning to London yesterday, I drove his car back, as it had to go to the Coachbuilders. I was not able to find that the modifications recently carried out had introduced any undue harshness in the general running or pick-up. In spite of the extremely bad weather, Lord Rocksavage gave me some test runs on his new 12-cylinder Packard, of which I have heard a great deal. As one would expect, the acceleration is extremely noticeable. I understand the axle is geared as low as 4.1. My opinion of the car is as follows:- [STAMP: ATTACHED] Springing - most irritating. One gets the impression of being on a perambulator, see-sawing back and forth at a rate of 25 miles an hour on roads which with the Rolls-Royce car appear to be quite good. On the engine speeds ... ELC 1030 Contd. | ||