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).
Test run and initial performance notes on a Duesenberg chassis.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 128\1\ scan0058 | |
Date | 13th September 1929 | |
PN{Mr Northey} Seen PN{Mr Northey} To note H...from Bt.{Capt. J. S. Burt - Engineer} H RECEIVED Re: "DUESENBERG" Through the courtesy of Messrs. Malcolm Campbell I was able to take a short run on one of these chassis with a soap box body. It was not possible for me to have a run on a car with a proper body, as there is, at the moment, only one in this country and that is privately owned. The engine is a straight 8 of 265 H.P., though the tax is only £44. I have great hopes that as soon as a body is fitted to the chassis I shall be able to try it again, but in case this should not be possible, I obtained a few notes on the performance of the car. It is stated that the engine gives its maximum power at 4,200 revs. per minute and that the car complete with open body weighs approx. 4,500 lbs. As might be expected, the car is extraordinarily lively, the acceleration at top gear being remarkable. There is, of course, a good deal of general fuss when accelerating from low speed, arising, one thinks, from torque re-action and carburettor noise. I have in front of me a technical description of the car which I note is reprinted from the December issue of the "Motor" but I think the paper referred to is an American paper. If W. are really interested I could no doubt obtain for them a copy of this technical description, accompanying which there are a number of sectional drawings. It is hardly fair to write down what figures I know were obtained on hills, as of course all similar figures which I have are taken on cars with full sized bodies, whereas this test was made with a soap box body without ballast. I feel, however, that the car is sufficiently interesting for it to be worth while for Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} to make a test of it when this can be arranged, if indeed he has not already done so. The engine has two overhead cam shafts driven by a silent chain. The clutch is multiple plate running dry, and seems to operate smoothly. The back axle is fitted with hypoid bevelled gearing, whilst there is an arrangement for specially silent second gear. The brakes are hydraulically operated and the steering seems to be very light, though rather low geared. It is claimed that the petrol consumption of the car is 16 m.p.g. at speed of 50 and 13 m.p.g. through traffic work. Bt.{Capt. J. S. Burt - Engineer} | ||