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 report giving impressions on a car's performance, including speed and acceleration, with comparisons to other vehicles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\5\ scan0039 | |
| Date | 2nd November 1938 guessed | |
| - 2 - The test I made was quite conclusive. Although it rained in the afternoon, it was a fine morning and I went to Sancerre via Fontainebleau, Montargis, Briare and Coshe. The road is particularly good, with long stretches of straight and no crossings. I could therefore test the car "all out". Getting up speed in 3rd, I changed into top, when 3500 r.p.m. were quickly reached: this represents a speed of 140 k.p.h. (=87 m.p.h.). Only twice could I get up to 3600/3700 r.p.m. i.e. about 150 k.p.h. (=93.2 m.p.h.), and this with great diffi-culty, after accelerating over a considerable distance. Such was the utmost speed I could get out of her. Acceleration up to 3500 r.p.m. is fairly quickly reached, and with the pedal pressed down a little over half way. When the accelerator is pressed right home in order to increase the r.p.m. to more than 3500, one gets the impression that there is no extra response from the engine. Consequently there is an excess of pedal action and engine efficiency ought to be higher than it is at present in order to get the best out of the over-geared top speed. What is the use of having an overgeared top speed if advantage cannot be taken of it because the engine reaches its maximum output at a speed far below that which overgearing should making it possible to attain? Comparing say the Hotchkiss 20 Sport with the Bentley 4 1/4 litre, I find the engine efficiency and speed of the former superior to that of the Bentley. The Hotchkiss is lighter but the Bentley has a more powerful engine: this should make up for that. I made the test with five people up, but the extra weight should affect the acceleration rather than the speed when the car is well under weigh. In short, the trial I had interested me enormously but I expected far more "guts" than I found. I consider I get more fun out of driving my own car, in the sense that acceleration is far better, that she reaches maximum speed quicker and that the engine seems to have a reserve of power that is lacking in the overgeared car. The new car would also be great fun were it possible to get a bit of extra H.P. out of the engine, in which case it would appeal to me; but with things as they are, I see no reason to change. Such is my perfectly sincere impression, and with renewed thanks, please believe me, Yours very sincerely, Sgd. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} FAVIER. | ||