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).
Report comparing the performance and issues of various cars, including the Wraith and P.III.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 126\1\ scan0028 | |
| Date | 16th August 1937 | |
| -3- We met a gentleman touring in the Alps with his family on an Oldsmobile (1936), who had covered over 40,000 kilometers and had never had any trouble with his brakes. He had just come over the FURKA. At no time was there any sign of brake squeaks on the Oldsmobile. GENERAL IMPRESSION 32-EX. The car has covered 15,000 miles in all, 12,000 in France. At this mileage all previous P.III.s. have broken up their big end bearing. There is no sign whatever that the bearings are beginning to go on 32-EX. Apparently the overdrive is doing what was expected of it. Whilst the higher second speed is admirable for alpine work, it accentuates engine stalling if used for starting. The flywheel inertia is being increased on the Continental P.III. to take care of this point. The clutch and brakes are a long way the best we have ever had on a P.III. The fuel and cooling systems have already been dealt with. Deleting the hydraulic tappets appears in no way to have detracted from the silence of the engine, in fact it is quieter than the standard P.III. We recommend that we adopt this scheme as soon as the inspection has been completed. The exceptionally good oil consumption can be attributed more to the reduction of oil going down the valve guides than to the lower engine speeds promoted by the over-drive. The experiment of fitting plain bushes in the front suspension to reduce cost has not been successful. The behaviour of the front of the car with this scheme has been very disappointing. The threaded shackles at the rear want further development. WRAITH The Wraith is comfortable yet holds the road well. In this respect it is superior to the P.III. The steering is delightful to handle. The car is about 3 M.P.H. faster, and has better acceleration than the 25/30. This is due to the new cylinder head and improved exhaust system. Apart from the engine unit, which is not the final specification and is being run to get a figure of merit for the durability of the valve gear and bearings, the two main faults of the car are:- 1. Shake of the steering column on bad roads. 2. Brake squeaks. The former is not a very serious complaint but may be continued | ||