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).
Various vehicle performance issues and observations.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 96\3\ scan0006 | |
| Date | 16th October 1935 | |
| -2- 3rd to 4th unless "played for", likewise produced a crash. CLUTCH. The clutch was also poor as regards getting into second or first gear when starting off, and the result was that one invariably crashed into first or second when taking this gear. STARTING UP This was bad. In fact we did our best to keep the engine continuously running in order to avoid this "episode". In this connection, it is interesting to note that the car starts up very well when cold. LUFFING UP This is bad on 33-EX, and we have heard quite a few remarks about our car competing with the sleeve-valve Panhard & Levassor in this respect. SLOW RUNNING Although the slow running is not what I expect it will be one of these days, we have no serious complaints to make about this. Had the transmission been less prone to jaggering, the slow-running would have been quite passable. PISTON SLAP WHEN COLD. This is very noticeable, but passes away quite rapidly as soon as the engine is warm. Self-ADJUSTING TAPPETS. One or two of these are inclined to become noisy after the car has been driven to capacity, for a minute or so. BRAKES The brakes on 33-EX are without any doubt inadequate, and more front wheel braking seems to be required. RATTLES A disagreeable rattle goes on under the back of the chassis somewhere round the rear axle. This is particularly noticeable on uneven pavé, and even more so on the minimum position of the ride control than on the maximum position. From 80 miles per hour upwards, an objectionable rattle vibration is set up under the bonnet seemingly coming from engine unit. I have not had time to diagnose this rattle which is very noticeable and per-sistent. Another matter which I would like to mention is that the front of the car has tendency to crash on anything but the maximum position of the ride control when taking even small dips in the road at speeds not exceeding 50 miles per hour. | ||