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 detailing feedback on the body, chassis, and tyres of a prototype car.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 109\4\ scan0134 | |
Date | 11th July 1939 | |
-6- BODY (Cont'd). running with the screen slightly open. This should be secured properly. The back seat is so wide that even with the central rest in position, either a strap or a handle is desirable to enable the occupants to prevent themselves being thrown about on bends. We think such a feature should be a fitting on experimental cars, also a support in the corners for the rear passengers heads. A foot rest would have greatly added to the rear passengers' comfort. There were annoying bonnet knocks on the scuttle, but these are as much a chassis as a body problem, and are being dealt with. GENERAL IMPRESSION. It is not usual to expect anyone who has carried out the development work on a chassis to be entirely unbiassed with regard to general comments on results obtained. We have, therefore, asked Sr., who accompanied us on this run, to express his opinion on the merits of the chassis as a prototype. CORNICHE. CHASSIS. This car handled remarkably well on corners, but the directional stability must be improved on straight roads. We have a number of parts which are likely to improve this feature and the work will be done at Chateauroux. TYRES. It is evident that tyres are going to be a problem if customers will persist in driving the car to the limit of its maximum speed. We do not think the normal individual will do this out of consideration for his own nerves, in the first place, and those of other motorists in the second place. There is no doubt that it will not be long before manufacturers produce a cover which will cope with our requirements. | ||