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).
Customer's disappointment with their car's top speed and seeking advice on performance modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\3\ Scan542 | |
| Date | 28th December 1932 | |
| S/W. (Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}) 84117. H24/H28.12.32. Re: Lord Londesborough. - 74-MS. C. has asked me to obtain your view in the following circumstances: Lord Londesborough has unfortunately been given the impression when he ordered the above car that under favourable circumstances it would do 90 m.p.h. Into this he has possibly read that the car will do such a speed anywhere on the flat, and, of course, this has proved to be beyond its capabilities. St.{Capt. P. R. Strong} who tried it with him recently managed to get 85 m.p.h. vide report No. 4284. C. wishes to know whether any of the improvements about to come on production can be applied invisibly to this chassis. We are naturally strongly averse to make any modification which would be apparent to any casual observer. PN.{Mr Northey} is under the impression that higher compression to the higher lift camshaft and special exhaust all come together and are interdependent, but at the same time he suggests that you, on Mr. Fairey's car, did certain things which resulted in it being a very fast one, and while he does not know what was actually done, he thinks you might be able to suggest some similar modification which could be applied in the case of Lord Londesborough. Will you kindly let me have a line about this as we appear to be in a real difficulty. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} | ||