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).
Page from 'The Autocar' magazine featuring correspondence on car performance, a Talbot's 'whistle', and other motoring topics.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\5\ scan0237 | |
| Date | 28th February 1941 | |
| 200 The Autocar February 28th, 1941 Correspondence as "always has an argument ready to deal with any statement" ; "almost impossible to convince him that a comparison is true or even of interest" ; "his old car is an absurd machine, grossly over-engined" ; "witheringly sarcastic letter in reply, repeating all his past boasts and praises" ; "this almost excessively proud owner," etc., sum up completely (and far more effectively than any other of mine) the difficulty I have experienced all along. It is apparently realised by others that Mr. Lycett will not come down to earth and discuss the original subject in a rational manner, but takes any argument against his treasured 8-litre as a personal slight, so that it has become as much a discussion on personalities as on the cars concerned. This is a pity, as I have said before. I have also previously pointed out that I never started this aspect of the discussion, but, purely in self-defence, have been forced to continue in this vein. Regarding Mr. Lycett's letter [49975], in your issue of February 7th, I contend that the times given for the Shelsley Walsh hill-climb are not comparable. It is well known that year by year, for one reason or another, times improve all round. It would be interesting, therefore, to compare Mr. Lycett's time for the climb in the same year as the T.T. Bentley recorded 46.4 sec. I gather that the figure of 44.08 is a recent one, after many years' experience on this hill and after further costly lightening and mechanical improvements had been made. Also conditions may have been different. Did the 8-litre run at the same meeting as the T.T. 3½-litre Bentley, and, if so, who won? The same, of course, applies to the figure put up by Caracciola on the Mercedes—could the 8-litre climb in 46.8 sec. in that year, whenever it was? C. W. P. HAMPTON. H.M. Forces. GRAND PRIX SUNBEAM Appearances in Recent Events of the 1922 Machine [50007.]—In regard to Mr. W. K.{Mr Kilner} Johnson's 1922 2-litre Grand Prix Sunbeam, mentioned in "The Sport" in your issue of February 7th, if it is indeed the car that was raced by G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} K.{Mr Kilner} Burness and A.{Mr Adams} T. Darbishire I can supply a few details. It ran at Donington at a U.S.C.C. meeting on May 7th, 1938, when it came in second in a six-lap race at 69.8 m.p.h. It also ran at the Poole speed trials in August of the same year, where I remember being much impressed by its silence and rapidity. The best time recorded was 24.45 sec., which compared favourably with the course record of 21.99 sec., and such times as 23.41 (Baron, "3.3" Bugatti), Connell, E.R.A. (24.38), and Maclachan, Austin (23.48), to quote a few. [Another correspondent has written to mention that the car, driven by G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} K.{Mr Kilner} Burness, was a consistently successful competitor in Donington club meetings.—ED.{J. L. Edwards}] Dorchester. R.{Sir Henry Royce} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} L. MILES. CASTING DOUBT ASIDE Maximum Speed in Nature [50008.]—While I am gratified to have "The Scribe" numbered among my listeners in "Ack-Ack, Beer-Beer," I grieve to note from his reference in your February 7th issue that he is one of those hyper-sceptics who no longer necessarily believe all they hear over the radio. I might, of course, point out that there is a difference between "obtaining a speed" during a test or a race, and recording the m.p.h. over a given distance (as, for instance, the motorist who invariably claims to have "touched" 70 m.p.h. in a car for which even the modest manufacturer claims only 60 m.p.h.). Sufficient it to say that all the speeds of sporting projectiles, etc., which I mentioned were deduced by the famous "Captain Cuttle" Secret Equation, and are therefore not merely correct but absolute. True, like Einstein's Theory, they may be disputed. Many listeners cast doubt on the statement, scientifically vouched for, that a small American insect reaches a speed of 600 m.p.h. It is pointed out that if this insect inadvertently collided with a tree 2ft. in thickness its velocity would take it clean through the tree. This insect is invariably cautious regarding trees, and there is no recorded instance of such a calamity. It is on record, however, that during the mating season a young male of the species, closing one eye momentarily, passed clean through two elephants, which are now preserved in the museum at Excelsior Springs, Mo. Apparently the insect did not realise (having other matters to distract it) the importance of being similarly preserved, and has never been traced. London, E.C.4. CAPTAIN CUTTLE. The Talbot "Whistle" [50006.]—I read with great interest the article under "Talking of Sports Cars" in the February 14th issue of The Autocar, and observed your contributor's allusion to the "whistling sound" which was characteristic of the Talbot 90 under discussion. My father has owned for some years a Talbot 75 saloon, which, although scarcely a sports car, is certainly a thoroughbred of the finest sort. We all noticed immediately an exactly similar noise to that described by your contributor, and I was determined to find the cause. The suggestion that it is caused by the wind whistling through the radiator is, I'm afraid, untenable, as the noise persists in, if anything, a more marked degree when the car is standing still and the engine ticking over. Naturally, I first assumed that the noise was due to the large oil filter fitted to the carburettor, and removed this to see if it made any difference. It did not. I then thought that the fan must be responsible for the noise, but after removing the fan belt the same whistling persisted. This brought me to rather a dead end, until one day I happened to have the engine running with the valve cover off, and noticed that the whistling was a great deal louder. From this point in the investigation I was unfortunately prevented from progressing owing to the war separating myself and the car except on rare occasions of leave, when I have invariably had other things to do. Perhaps, however, some other reader may have an opinion to express. Please keep up this article, "Talking of Sports Cars." I, for one, find it the most interesting reading in the most interesting journal at the moment produced. R.{Sir Henry Royce} M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} N. R.A.F. SUMMARY OF CORRESPONDENCE OLD ISSUES.—Cpl. "G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} S. L.," now serving abroad, would be very grateful for spare copies of The Autocar, which he says would be "avidly devoured" by himself and others in his unit. WING WANTED.—"G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp}," Oxford, who has been spending considerable time recently in rebuilding a 1932-1933 D8.S. Delage, stripping the chassis to the last nut and starting afresh, requires, to complete his work, a near-side front wing, and would be grateful for any information as to where he might acquire one. BOOKS for MOTORISTS Issued in conjunction with "THE AUTOCAR" Net Price. By Post. The Autocar Handbook ... 3/- ... 3/5 The Autocar Guide for the “L” Driver ... 1/- ... 1/2 Look After Your Car... ... 2/6 ... 2/9 The Motor Vehicle ... 10/6 ... 11/1 Know Your Car ... 1/6 ... 1/8 Motor Driving Made Easy ... 2/6 ... 2/10 More Sketches by Casque ... 2/- ... 2/3 Automobile Electrical Equipment ... 10/6 ... 11/1 The Modern Diesel ... 3/6 ... 3/11 The Autocar Register ... 3/- ... 3/5 By P. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Heldt, U.S.A. : High Speed Combustion Engines ... 42/- ... 42/7 Motor Vehicles and Tractors ... 42/- ... 42/7 Fuels and Carburettors ... 18/- ... 18/7 High Speed Diesel Engines ... 27/- ... 27/7 Full particulars of any of the above books will be sent on application. Obtainable from Leading Booksellers and Railway Bookstalls or direct (remittance with order) from ILIFFE & SONS LTD., Dorset House, Stamford Street, London, S.E.1 | ||