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).
Field report from France detailing issues with a stranded test car, including axle problems and notes on exhaust and cooling modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\3\ scan0271 | |
| Date | 11th May 1935 | |
| E (Please return) X200a GRY{Shadwell Grylls} LFG HOTEL DE FRANCE CHATEAUROUX. Indre. France. IIth May 1935. To Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} From G.W.H. 5 B IV. We have received your Memos. of the 7th, 8th, and 9th inst. We have been unfortunate with the Car, apart from tests we have not managed two consecutive days running, without something going wrong. We are now absolutely stranded; 5 B IV is at the moment in Paris, the reason being that the Humber Car, which was bringing down the temporary front Axle, ran a big end 60 miles from here. So another car had to be obtained to get the Axle here, then on to Guéret. Sr only promised the Axle for 24 hours, as it was taken off a customer's car. Consequently with the break-ing down of the Humber, we had to send our car straight to Paris and dismantle the Axle there. We expected to have news of an Axle being sent out today, meanwhile having taken step to have it diverted to Paris, but as no news has arrived, I myself and two men will proceed to Paris to-morrow, to carry out preparations for further tests. With regard to the exhaust system you mention. The Standard system as now fitted, is freer from booms and has a quieter snout noise, than what we came out with. The snout noise is not so noticeable until one runs on a side road with a hedge either side. It was then distinctly heard. We are ofcourse waiting for a down pipe before we can test the new silencer sent out. COOLING. THIS Job will be done if the car will keep together. We shall obtain side plate from Paris to cover the ventilations. With regard to fitting the fan, we have not fitted it, because it meant one of two things. I) Taking the Radiator and front wings down to drill out the stud holes, a day's work. 2) Dismantling the engine entirely, to get the Cylinder block off, a day's work. | ||