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).
Difficulty of starting the 40/50 model from cold compared to American competitors.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 31\3\ Scan079 | |
| Date | 18th February 1929 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from LHS.{Lord Herbert Scott} re. 40/50 Starting up from Cold. I reported to you some weeks ago the difficulty I found in starting up my engine in the morning in my garage at Eythrope with a temperature during the night of 20° of frost. On that occasion my car and a large Buick stood side by side. The Rolls took a great deal of persuasion to start, and I had to use the starting handle to turn over the engine half a dozen times. The Buick, on the other hand, started up straight away without even the use of a hot spot; which I understand is held in reserve for very low temperatures. This week-end my Driver reports to me a similar difficulty in starting up on Saturday and I have experienced the same thing this morning, which is most annoying, especially as I understand the batteries are in order. My Driver tells me that at Lillie Hall where the garage is particularly cold they often experience considerable trouble on very cold mornings. This seems to me a matter for enquiry. The point I wish to raise is this - are we absolutely satisfied that the models which will be coming through later on will start up from cold as easily, or with as little difficulty, by means of the self-starter, as is experienced by our American competitors? I consider this an all important point from a sales point of view. Such methods as turning over the engine by hand, hot water in the radiator etc., are considered out-of-date and tiresome to the many owner drivers. LHS.{Lord Herbert Scott} | ||