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).
Impressions from a test run from Boulogne, noting engine detonations, bonnet rattles, and a significant overrun period.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 62\3\ scan0426 | |
| Date | 11th June 1934 | |
| Wst COPY 86142. Hotel de France. 11.6.34. To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 4-B-IV. We arrived here from Boulogne last night. Our impressions on the run up were as follows :- ENGINE. Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} Power and acceleration were good. Detonations were very pronounced and ignition had to be retarded to delete them. Petrol used was Pratts No. 1 obtained at Folkestone. Engine gear rattle was noticeable running light with engine hot, oil pressure 10 lbs. The heat under the scuttle and from floorboards was unpleasant. Quite a lot comes through the slot for the lever of the chassis lubrication pump. The half crankshaft period had smoothed out and was not so pronounced. There was no definite failure of the petrol pumps while waiting for traffic etc., but the pumps could be heard dealing with vapour that had collected. Oil and water temperatures were not excessive considering the heat of the day. Max. water 83°C., Oil 85°C., Air 34°C. Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} The bonnet rattles were the worst feature of the car when travelling over cobble stones. The bonnet sides are not of sufficient strength with buvres. There is not sufficient load on the bonnet fasteners. More clearance is required to allow for bonnet dropping. The bonnet knocks endways. No appreciable difference is obtained with the dampers in the soft position. The car sounds like a truck. There is not sufficient clearance between the front undershield and cross steering tube. We have clouted ours good and hearty. Cry. There is a very bad over-run period from 65 M.P.H. down to 50 which can be felt through the floorboards. The forward period is approx. the same. | ||