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).
Complaint letter from Nicholls Brothers regarding a boiling issue with chassis 117-WJ.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\2\ Scan289 | |
| Date | 6th June 1930 | |
| [Handwritten in red ink: HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Tem] [Handwritten in red ink: copy as requested] [Handwritten: X4117] COPY NICHOLLS BROTHERS VIA LAMARMORA 6 Telegrams: Nicholls Milan. Telephone: 50-092 MILAN. [Handwritten: 25/H/30] 6th June 1930. Messrs Rolls Royce Ltd. Derby Dear Sirs, re CHASSIS 117-WJ We have to report boiling with this car. It occurred when climbing to a frequented summer resort, Campo dei Fiori, about 60 Km. from Milan. The road up is 6 miles long, with gradients at first 7% and later 12% terminating in front of an hotel at an altitude of over 3000 feet. The total weight of the car is 2690 Kg. 4 passengers including driver were up, no luggage, 2/3 bends require the reverse speed, the day was warm without wind, boiling occurred at about 1/3 of the way. To make quite sure we waited for Hopkinson's return from Rome to repeat the trial under the same conditions except that it was a cooler day and driving conditions more favourable, but boiling took place just the same. Timing and everything was tested by Hopkinson and found OK. We are very disappointed after all the complaints of boiling of the last year or two. The matter is all the more serious as this is our latest demonstration car which is due to leave at once on demonstration work in a hotter climate through mountainous districts and on roads with similar gradients. The ignition wire tube was badly scorched. Please send a new one and, we suggest, a suitable shield to fit under centre of exhaust pipe to protect this tube from the head. Yours truly (sgd) Nicholls Bros. | ||