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 vehicle performance, detailing issues with the gearbox, engine, and hydraulic dampers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\1\ scan0288 | |
| Date | 21th May 1936 | |
| ( 2 ) throws up at the rear, one has to be continually on the alert and remember that there are rear passengers. This is with maximum damping in use. On rough roads fast cornering is impossible, the rear of the car goes anywhere through the rear axle jazzing. One very quickly finds this out. After a day's run one automatically reduces speed and these points are subdued and not so noticeable. Going on the straight at speed, the ride is good on bad pavé. Taking the springing as a whole, I should consider it to be 80% as good as the Cadillac. Where it definately fails is railway crossings. The rear roll rod is not doing its work cornering, etc., GEARBOX. The gear box is poor, gears are not as quiet as on previous car. Synchromesh of third and top is demmed bad and there is no excuse for it to be so. The third is lumpy, the top crashes. The change speed lever vibrates and rattles. ENGINE. Speaking generally it is quiet and smooth, power good under certain conditions. Very good starting up cold; starting up hot, the throttle must be opened up at least one third to ensure starting upon first application. It will not continue running with throttle lever in slow running position, starting up. Power etc., is subject to water temperature, must be hot to get results. Acceleration is not good unless the throttle is fully opened. I was very disappointed at lack of results when opening the throttle half open or three quarters open for acceleration purposes. The last quarter opening of the throttle makes a very surprising difference. No trouble was experienced with petrol supply or evaporation. The roar from the carburetters is very bad when one is pushing the car all out using full throttle after every retardation. In this I mean when one has not a clear straight road ahead. The roar is very noticeable during each acceleration. This can be absolutely cut out by not fully opening the throttle, and there is no roar with the throttle fully opened gradually travelling at 90 mph. It takes a considerable time for the roar to die down travelling at max. speed if the throttle is opened fully in the first instance. At max. speed the engine is inclined to be fussy, over revving. HYDRAULIC DAMPERS. The range of the dampers does not appear to be sufficient, but as there is an excessive leak from the O.S. front damper, it is difficult to get a true percentage. The heat under the scuttle is bad with hot weather conditions. The ventilation scheme does not cure it. --------- G.W.H. [Signature] | ||