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).
Outlining criticisms of the steering and carburation on the 25/30 HP model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\3\ scan0038 | |
| Date | 11th August 1936 | |
| To: "Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}". PARIS Sr21/Dn.11.8.36 Dear "Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}", Here I come with my criticisms to trouble you once more: We have recently put on the road our 25/30 HP Rolls-Royce, and although I have not had much experience of this car yet, I have no hesitation in stating that there are two outstanding criticisms: 1º The worst feature of the car is the Steering with its perpetual kicking and lack of precision. 2º The other is the weak spot in the carburation which we do not seem to remove. I lent the car to Mr Schoofs, Commercial Manager of Kellner's. over the week end as you will see from the attached translation of his report which I have just received, he was also very disappointed with the steering. He thinks, of course, that it is only a temporary affair which we will put right, and I have let him remain under that impression. He also criticises the carburation, but this did not seem to worry him so much Apart from the above two items, he was very pleased with the general performance of the car. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} W. Punt took Pattinson down to La{L. A. Archer} Baule in the 25/30 HP Experimental Car, and he (EWP{Mr Punt}) was thoroughly disgusted with the steering. As for myself, I have not yet taken the car out on a long trip, but will certainly do so very shortly, after which I will write you again, giving you my impressions. The point which none of us over here can understand, is why we have had to come down to this steering, and as Don Allen quite rightly remarked to me yesterday, if it is merely a question of £ s d, this will very rapidly counter-balanced by the obvious number of complaints we shall have to tackle, and put right in connection with steering troubles. When "E" was passing through Paris, I mentioned this matter to him, and he explained to me that it was a question of getting a lighter steering on this car than we had on the 20/25 HP. As you know, we, over here had very few, if any complaints about the 20/25 HP steering. What do you suggest we can do to this steering to put it right? By that I mean in order to make it more positive and free from perpetual reactions. Also, is there anything we can do to the carburettot to cure this weak spot? So much for the time being about the 25/30 HP. ooooooo The remainder of this memo concerns the Bentley. We | ||