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 La Salle car's performance, handling, and engine characteristics.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 22\4\ Scan008 | |
Date | 22th July 1928 | |
To R.{Sir Henry Royce} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to EG. c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Filing Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/MJ. 22. 7. 28. X3531. LA{L. A. Archer} SALLE. ---------- We tried this car round London. As a car it was most uncomfortable to handle. The steering was unstable, heavy for shunting and with tyre pressures below 40 lbs./sq. in, suffered from low and high speed wobble. The braking was very poor, also the springing. It was not fitted with centre point lubrication. It was a new car, they had sold all their demonstration models. While we appreciate that the interest in this car lies in the engine, we did not feel justified in buying something with such glaring faults without pointing them out, because such a car may not be easy to sell again. By trying a number we might find a better chassis, but this one had precisely the same characteristics as the one we took out in Paris and mentioned in our Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rml/Z.G.11.10.27 so that they appear to be more or less inherent. Engine. Rubber mounted. Under Power. Rough all the way up but no violent periods. Overrun. Smooth, comparable with the Stutz. Revs. Does not turn over fast. Max. car speed would seem to be under 65 m.p.h. Gear | ||