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 drive report and critique of a 10 horse power Fiat with an open body.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 21\7\ Scan005 | |
| Date | 13th March 1922 | |
| X4133 LHS{Lord Herbert Scott}7/DN/13.3.22. RECEIVED MAR 14 1922 H8 TO EJ. c. to C., P. & Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} RE 10 H.P. FIAT. I drove the 10 horse Fiat, fitted with an Open body, out in the country on Friday afternoon last, with the object of appreciating the body room provided on the same. In the first place I should like to draw attention to the extraordinary fine proposition that have put forward in this model for the price, which is something over £500. No doubt the low price is partly due to exchange being favourable to us at the moment. The engine shews a full power for the horse power and is beauti fully quiet and smooth running. The change speed quadrant leaves nothing to be desired and the gears go in like butter. The brakes I had heard from outside sources were considered slightly faulty, but I could not find anything wrong with the one I drove. The electrical equipment particularly commended itself to me as being a most beautiful piece of wiring and an admirably conceived plan. The self-starter is simple to a degree; whether it will prove sound as a long run, I have no idea, but I am taking the car as I drove it on Friday. There are many cleverly thought out conveniences, for instance:- the driver has always a gallon of petrol in hand in case of emergency and by some simple method of turning a tap this can be brought into operation. The controls struck me as very simple and efficient. The only "crab" I could find with regard to the chassis was that the accelerating pedal was too near to the clutch and footbrake pedal, with the result that with a thick boot it was conceived one might have fouled one or other pedal. The steering column, I had heard, was too flexible, but I did not find in practice anything to complain about. The really weak point of the chassis was the springing, which is very bad indeed. This may be due to the P.T.O. | ||