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).
Road test of a 16/60 HP 2-seater Mercedes car, highlighting severe braking and steering issues.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 22\5\ Scan123 | |
Date | 17th July 1924 | |
R.E. 498a (20H) (D.A. 652 20-3-24) J.B.D. 4407 EXPERIMENTAL REPORT. Expl. No. 407 REF: Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}3/LG17.7.24. To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to CJ. RG.{Mr Rowledge} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} RE. MERCEDES CAR. We took delivery of the small 2-seater 16/60 HP. 4-cylinder Mercedes car on Tuesday the 15th. inst. and drove it to Derby. The car is fitted with direct pedal operated 4-wheel brakes. The brakes were the worst feature on the car and in order to drive with any degree of safety, it was necessary to use the hand brake which worked on the rear wheels only. When the 4-wheel brakes were applied, the car dived to the right-hand side of the road. The effect was very much worse because the steering being irreversible, no pull could be felt on the steering wheel which would have given the driver any indication that the steering needed correcting. The super-charger always gives a definite step up to power at anything above 1500 engine revs. We propose bringing this car to WW. - arriving there on Tuesday next, and also EAC. open car 46-PK on which the springs have been altered and the new exhaust system is fitted. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||