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).
Two-page letter from Fairey Aviation Co. Ltd. providing detailed feedback on a car's performance after modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\3\ Scan387 | |
| Date | 1st March 1932 | |
| - 1 - I took the car out in the early morning the other day and tried her over the Hartford Flats, and got the speedometer over the pin each way. She badly needs a new speedometer, as I am afraid of damaging this one. I did not calibrate it or take the pressures before I left so I do not know the exact speeds but relatively it is at least 6 or 8 miles faster. May I suggest that you fit me with a new speedometer and have a look at the oil consumption? Also some of the tappets are a little noisy. It may be pure imagination but the performance seemed to tail off a little at the end of this week-end's running. Possibly this is only the result of familiarity with the car or possibly a change in fuel, unless, of course, the valves clearances need checking. Anyhow I am delighted with the car. Please accept my sincere thanks and congratulations. With kind regards, Yours sincerely, [Signature] [STAMP: RECEIVED [clock face at 11:15] MAR 1932] E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} W. Hives, Esq., Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd. H - DERBY. [Handwritten annotations top right: W.D.P. Very good. Thanks. W.Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Offices of 2-3-32] [STAMP: THE FAIREY AVIATION CO.LTD. RECEIVED MAR 1932] THE FAIREY AVIATION CO.LTD. HAYES, MIDDLESEX. 1st March, 1932. Dear Mr. Hives, First impressions of the car were truly excellent. The improvement is much more marked than after the last modifications. Steering is improved but I am still not quite satisfied as it is not positive enough for me in the middle of the range. Maybe this is only a matter of taste. Brakes are excellent. The engine's appetite for oil is greater than ever and I am sure should be looked into. By rough measurement it is about 150 miles per gallon? The gauge remains against the pin while running and as the oil gets low starts to wander. In a very short time after that the pressure will intermittently drop away to nothing if allowed to. I have taken great care to see that it is kept well filled up with oil. The engine is no less smooth than before, but seems to prefer Ethyl spirit to Shell. I have not done any careful tests on this. [Handwritten annotation bottom right: x or less] | ||