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).
Driving impressions and feedback on a 28.G. Wraith car after 3,000 miles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 108\2\ scan0222 | |
| Date | 10th March 1939 | |
| To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/EWC. "WRAITH IMPRESSIONS." You asked me to tell you what I thought of R.R. cars. So far I have driven 28.G. Wraith about 3,000 miles - have not yet handled Bentley or P.III. Here are my impressions for what they are worth. ENGINE. Thought the engine remarkably smooth and silent. One is barely conscious of the fact that one is fitted in the chassis. Speeds up to 85 M.P.H. were possible by the speedometer, and providing roads are O.K. 70 M.P.H. wasy on a reasonable throttle opening. A slight rattle at 27 m.p.h. in high gear was noticed in going through that speed. This appeared to be timing gears. Car has run 26,000 miles. A chronic mis-firing when picking up in high was cured by re-setting spark plugs to .030". This is the head with special ports. CLUTCH. Very good and smooth and no trace of chattering or grating. GEARBOX. Excellent, quiet, and synchromesh about the best I have experienced. STEERING. The first feature to thrust itself upon my consciousness in driving this car was the steering. I did not like it. There was a persistent "joggling" or "nibbling". Above 50 M.P.H. the steering wheel was in a constant state of restlessness - most annoying to the hard muscles. This "nibbling" which continued up to max. speed, was somewhat reduced on concrete surfaces. The two front tyres were badly worn on the inside of tread, to me a most unusual thing. Fitting new tyres improved the steering. All the road reactions communicated to the driver come through the steering wheel. Taking one's hands off the wheel brings home the fearful battle that is raging under the front tyres. A lot of this may be absent with the flexible spoked wheel. I have not yet tried one. | ||