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).
Extract concerning U.S.A. complaints about vehicle starting and running issues due to low-grade fuel and cold winters.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 38\2\ Scan150 | |
| Date | 8th June 1921 | |
| X3456 Extract from R10/G8.6.21. X.3614 - RE U.S.A. COMPLAINTS. X.4305. STARTING, SLOW RUNNING AND TROUBLES DUE TO LOW X.3456. GRADE FUEL AND EXTREMELY COLD WINTERS. X.3678. I have suggested and agreed to the fitting of louvres in front of the radiators, and I now consider that these should be thermostatically operated in every case, so as not to leave it to the care and patience of the gentleman driver or his chauffeur to give sufficient attention to watch the thermometer so as to maintain the water in the engine as near boiling point as possible. It has been seen and concluded long ago that no car with low grade fuel, either of our make or any other, will give satisfaction unless the cooling water, and the air under the bonnet is maintained at the highest temperature that it is possible to keep it. Although not affecting the starting, this is very import - (1) for slow running. (2) for equal distribution at slow speeds (3) for petrol economy. (4) it will also largely meet the complaints such as knocks in the transmission, due to the uneven turning of the engine caused by bad distribution. We believe we know all your important troubles; they exist to a less degree here, amd with all cars. We can obtain fuel and roads of all grade of badness, but we cannot produce your extremely low winter temperature, and as these do not exist in U.S.A. at present, it is no use sending anyone or coming to U.S.A. to find them just now. Contd. | ||