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).
Road test report on an Essex Terraplane 6, comparing its performance to a 17-G-IV model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 21\6\ Scan153 | |
| Date | 23th April 1934 | |
| PRIVATE Y4217 Egr from Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Copy to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Br.{T. E. Bellringer - Repair Manager} Re Essex Terraplane 6. Yesterday (Sunday) I tried the above car, and also took with me 17-G-IV for comparison. We did over 100 miles under the stiffest conditions, taking the worst hills we could find in Derbyshire, round by Buxton, Hathersage, Castleton, Chapel-en-le-Frith and all the hilly districts. I was definitely astonished at the engine, its absence of vibration and smoothness under all conditions were excellent, it almost seemed as though one was driving a car without an engine. The acceleration was also very good; indeed, better than 17-G-IV, and this is saying a lot because I always thought 17-G-IV had excellent acceleration. I thought the steering was quite good, not very much wrong with it. The body was quiet and free of rattles and booms, although it suffered from a certain amount of wind noise, but I think this is due to the fact that the windscreen does not close properly on the near side, which causes the wind to make an unpleasant hissing noise. However, the run emphasised most seriously the need for some similar mounting on our chassis, and I believe if we get this we have hopes of getting a more superior job. As soon as we get the 20/25 fitted up in a similar way, I should like to have a run with it, but I am sure it is a matter of real urgency. The least said about the ride the better, except that I had difficulty in avoiding being sick when riding in the back. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} | ||