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).
Petrol consumption figures from a press run and addressing issues with high oil temperature.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\3\ scan0125 | |
| Date | 26th January 1939 | |
| 1379 SECRET. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}8/R.26.1.39. Rehearsal of Press Run. We have some further figures from Montlhery. Having achieved the required speed, they have been checking petrol consumption and obtained the following figures:- 40 M.P.H. 32 Miles per gallon 60 " 26 " " " 80 " 21 " " " 90 " 17 " " " If these figures can be reproduced on the autobahn they are very remarkable. We have told Sr. to attempt an hour's continuous run and then proceed to Germany. It appears that the previous failure may have been due to high oil temperature as they have now measured this, and with the previous gear ratio it exceeded 135°C. However, the speed for the hour will be limited to a maximum oil temperature of 120°C at which we have run test bed endurance. We should expect to be able to bring the oil temperature down at a later date by improving the air flow over the crankcase. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||