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 and critique of the 'SS SPECIMEN 18-EX' car after extensive mileage.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 13\5\ Spare05-page035 | |
| Date | 1st February 1929 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to SC. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} C. c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} CWB. PN.{Mr Northey} 47600 R2/HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 2. 29. SS.{S. Smith} SPECIMEN 18-EX. X.7770 X.7800 X.7830 X.7600 X.7005 This is the car that has done 10,000 miles in France, and altogether some few thousands more. It has a Barker close coupled 4-seater body with alum. panels, and leather top, and is the finest car I have ever been in. For my use it is the best type of body. The engine and whole chassis has improved with running and one hardly feels the engine, and it is remarkably silent when running (car standing) or at speed. We are running the car every day for a few hours in the mountains, and but for the secrecy would let it be seen on the Riviera, because it cannot help but attract much admiration. I should like to compliment Mr. Nutt on the bodywork: the doors are much thinner etc. than on 19-EX. I believe it should be repeated for stock and the Show complete as it is with two small things altered (1) perhaps it might be an inch or two wider, (2) also the toolbox is the wrong slope for the feet, being too nearly vertical. If moving the tools would give more leg room they should go somewhere else. Mr. Minchin stores his in any space separately until he only has a few flat things under the driver's seat. Mr. Hancock after the very severe night experience, says he prefers the central separate lamp for night and fogs. Everyone says our old practice in side lights are too large and glaring. These are O.K. on our test cars, also current should not be wasted. We did 81/82 m.p.h. in the moderately good piece of road less than mile long, slightly uphill, still gaining. I have confirmed that 18-EX as well as 19-EX does not bang in the silencer, cutout open or closed: (cannot give reason, but most valuable). It jellies a little somewhere about 80 m.p.h. otherwise quite steady, and steers well. Engine mounting - front feet solid not bad, passenger feels nothing except exhaust vibrations with cutout open. I compliment Mr. Evernden especially on his work associated with the coachwork. contd :- | ||