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).
Critical performance review of a 20 HP demonstration car, highlighting issues with the engine and ride.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 53\1\ Scan085 | |
| Date | 6th October 1922 | |
| To BJ. From PN. {Mr Northey} PN {Mr Northey} 17/DN6.10.22 Rolls-Royce 20 H.P. Demonstration Car. When this car was handed over to us for demonstration on Wednesday last, naturally I took it that it would be more than a fair example of this type of car and that such things as carburation adjustment and lubrication would be set in as perfect a way as possible for the purpose. The car has, however, proved anything but satisfactory to demonstrate with. In the first place, there was an amount of over-oiling in the cylinders which gives the unusual impression that a Rolls-Royce had a badly smoking exhaust all the time. This resulted in the plugs quickly sooting up and causing misfires. The carburation I found sufficiently wrong to prevent the proper functioning of the engine with varying conditions of speed and load. There is a degree of vibration in the neighbourhood of 20 m.p.h. which is at least as bad as our worst types of 40/50 and which previously I have not had occasion to complain of with the 20 h.p. There is an embarrassing cessation of power inevitably following the pressing down of the accelerator at all the slower engine speeds. The want of acceleration at all speeds on all gears with this car is to my mind most noticeable. It is as well to understand that in spite of the above criticisms, on each occasion that I gave a trial run, the passengers concerned afterwards came in and signed an order form for one of these cars, but I am convinced that that their eagerness and desire to be the owners of our new small car were not based upon the performance of this car. Do not think I am not appreciating this small car's good points. For instance, its braking and holding the road are excellent. Its quietness when running slowly on top gear is excellent. The springing has given a very good impression. Obviously this memo. is not written with a view to a testimonial to the car, but in order that we may obtain as quickly as possible a demonstration car which we shall not be ashamed of. I wired to Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} yesterday afternoon setting up some of our troubles and asked for immediate attention. This wire | ||