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 detailing the car's steering, riding qualities, and handling on various roads in France.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 170\2\ img207 | |
| Date | 5th November 1934 | |
| COPY. Hotel Du Lion Rouge, Soissons (Aisne). 5.11.34. To Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} We took the following route to-day, 60% being pave, some real bad -Boulogne, St.{Capt. P. R. Strong} Omer, Cassel, Bailleul, Armentiers, Lelaries, La{L. A. Archer} Bassee, Lens Arras, Cambrai, Peronne, Ham, Chauny, Soissons. Up to noon we had thick fog, but were able to thoroughly test out the steering and riding qualities of the car. The steering was not affected in the least whether we were running on bad pave or dropped into bad pot holes. At times there is just a quiver of the steering wheel, but absolutely no sign of a shock. One quickly gets used to the low rating of the steering and does not over-steer as is the tendency at first. The springing is very good. There was not the slightest sign of pitching. When running on the bad pave you feel slight lars but no worse that what one felt when running on the cobble stones down Ossulston Road. One hears rather than feels the effect of running on the pave. There is a peculiar lifting of the car bodily as the camber of the road changes, which shows how stiff the chassis frame is. The soft riding position gives a floating effect, but not pitching. Actually the hard riding position gives the best ride over the worst pave. Conclusion, steering and springing are ideal for touring purposes. Its faults are, one cannot corner fast with safety, the rear of the car swings round and front feels inclined to duck under. The car is very prone to skidding. With the exception of an exhaust period between 40 - 50 M.P.H. it is perfectly silent. There is no sign of our periods. We shall try the car on Montlhery track to-morrow before proceeding to Chateauroux. (Sgd.) G.W.Hancock. | ||