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).
Sir Henry Segrave's criticisms on engine vibration, plug trouble, and brake performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\3\ Scan039 | |
| Date | 4th January 1930 | |
| To P.N. From H.S. C. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Hor. We consider Sir Henry Seagrave's criticism very interesting as he has touched on most of the points which we realize we should like to improve. We will take the points in the order of his criticism:- ENGINE. We expect the crankshaft period to be felt at the speed mentioned, but we should not expect it to be fel as a serious vibration and certainly not to be felt by the passengers. We would recommend that on your fast demonstration cars we should fit the low inertia damper. They will definately reduce the high speed vibration and crankshaft periods. As these dampers are now actually being fitted to production cars, there appears to be no reason why you should not have them on Trials cars. PLUG TROUBLE. From the symptoms desribed it would appear that it is either a plug pre-ignition or a shortage of petrol at high speeds. This can only be a local effect because the cars are run full power on the dynamometer and we have also had considerable experience of running in France maintaining high speeds for long periods without trouble. BRAKES. As you are aware, we have realized the weakness in the Phantom ll brakes and have standardised a modified leverage and cam angle. We certainly think this should be fitted to your fast London Trials cars, also to Sir Henry Seagrave's car. They are either fitted to production cars or just about to be fitted | ||