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).
Issues with tyre wear, instrument breakage, and mechanical noise during vehicle testing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 17\4\ Scan088 | |
| Date | 9th October 1934 | |
| -2- Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}9/KW.9.10.34.Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} efficiency, but Mr. Wyns did not think they were good enough and referred to large drums 19" to 20" dia. on his Minerva. He would not be entirely satisfied until drums were fitted approaching that dia. Tyre Wear. The tyre wear is the surest proof of the speed the car is being driven. The mileage obtained on the rear being approx. 3,000. Our 10,000 miles average, not on pave roads, is approximately 4,000. Mr. Wyns is of the opinion that larger tyres would give better results. We have not tried larger tyres on the Phantom but have done so on the Bentley with the same view as Mr. Wyns, but no greater mileage was obtained. Mr. Wyns has bought and fitted two Englebert 7 x 19 balloon Chevron Cord Tyres and claims that they give 50% longer life. We shall try a set on the next 10,000 mile Phantom. Instruments Breaking. This is entirely due to the severe shaking the car is subjected to. The Design Office are already making the pipe lines more flexible from the experience gained from our 10,000 miles test. General noise from Tappet Mechanism. In my opinion Mr. Wyns was very critical. The noise at high speed was a mechanical noise and was no more pronounced than on all our Phantoms. We examined the various parts of the steering after returning to the Garage and found nothing wrong with the control dampers, track rod or side steering tube. The tyres checked for pressure, found them to be low, 36 lbs. on the near side and 16 lbs. on the off side. The off side also had an Englebert tyre fitted which was approx. 14 ozs. out of balance. This was balanced up and pressures brought up to 40 lbs. The steering was steadier, but not satisfactory on the bad pave. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/G.W.Hancock. | ||