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).
Letter from Rudge-Whitworth Limited to Mr. Hives comparing a 10,000-mile test of a motor bicycle against a 20 HP car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 159\7\ scan0090 | |
| Date | 5th December 1923 | |
| Rudge-Whitworth Limited. TELEGRAMS, TELEPHONE RUDGE. 1104. COVENTRY. Coventry. Wednesday, 5th December, 1923. Dear Mr. Hives, I am very much obliged to you for your letter of the 4th inst. together with the report of a very recent 10,000 miles test. From this report it is clear that a Rolls-Royce 20 HP. under your testing conditions is able to cover twice the distance that our Motor Bicycle is able to do under our testing conditions, and as our test began on the 17th October and finished on the 30th November, and your test began 29th October and finished the 20th November, there is nothing in the weather or daylight conditions which would account for the difference. I think that the maximum speed of the two vehicles is pretty much the same, being something comfortably over 60 miles an hour. Your second paragraph stating that 10,000 miles over a long time is more severe than 10,000 miles over a short time gives a new light expressed by Kipling and borrowed, I think, from Ezekiel "that he that believeth shall not make haste" only it is rather a troublesome doctrine for people necessarily in a hurry. I note that the road report is sent to me (Cont'd on sheet 2.) | ||