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).
20,000-mile test report from France on the Spectre model, detailing suspension and engine failures.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\4\ scan0254 | |
| Date | 15th September 1935 | |
| To. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} c to. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c to. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c to. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c to. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c to. Ep.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c to. Mr. c to. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Handwritten: X300A R Les, Scott, FD{Frank Dodd - Bodies} Tutton, H.Smith, Beverley Stedman Please note & see me where complaint has not been dealt with. 3. S. I. - SPECTRECodename for Phantom III. Test in France. Report at 20,000 Miles. Specification to RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/CP5/EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} 13.6.35. Our impression that the Car will be superior to the Phantom has been maintained throughout the mileage. It has given an excellent comfortable ride in the rear seats. The ride in the rear seats was equal to that of the Cadillac. The Car was driven over the bad stretch of road at Sevres Paris. The rear Springing became hard during the mileage, due to the failure of the lubrication of the rear spring leaves. The front Springing collapsed on the O.S. whilst bringing the Car back to Derby. The inner forked lever of the suspension broke across the serrations. It is interesting to note that the steering of the Car was not affected by this failure. The Car was driven a matter of 300 miles with the rubber buffer taking the load of the front on the O.S. E N G I N E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} The condition of the Engine at the finish of the mileage, is a long way from being satisfactory. The Crank Jurnal bearings and connecting rod bearings had worn to such an extent, that to maintain the oil pressure, the main release Valve spring had to be strengthened up considerably. The half Crankshaft period caused the connecting rods to rattle and thump. The Pistons knocked and over-oiled. The Ignition plugs could not be kept from oiling up during a day's run. The Ignition system failed through the following :- 1) Breaking down of the insulation of the high tension wires in the tubes at the point where they come out of the slots. 2) The Supressors failed to make a connection through the breaking up of the stranded wire. 3) The rubbing block of the contact points in the distributor wore away until no gap was left on B Ignition. 4) All adjustment for setting the gap of contact points of B Ignition was taken up. 5) Excessive rotary play of the cam caused faulty slow running. Marginalia: LES WST | ||