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).
Cooling and steering issues for a sample L.H. Chassis destined for the American market.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\4\ Scan114 | |
| Date | 9th July 1930 | |
| HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X777~ To Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} re L.H. Chassis for America. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}23/EB.7.30 Copy to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Wmr. Thanks for Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}4/T.4.7.30. We should like to see the car in London because of this rather important point in connection with alteration to height of radiator and dash of which this car is the first sample. As mentioned to you yesterday I quite agree that this car ought to be in every way satisfactory before it goes to America. Nevertheless for the reasons mentioned to you I do sincerely hope that it will be possible to get it over there before the hot weather in America has gone. One is apt to overlook the fact that New York is 10° further south than London and, therefore, from a heat point of view is more on/a par with Southern Spain and Southern Italy. This plus their wonderful conditions of concrete roads rendering high speeds possible makes adequate cooling a very important point. I have just been reading the first three reports on the 10,000 mile test car and I feel as indicated in former memos. that our margin of safety is much too small. You will see he is losing at the rate of ¾ of a gallon per day and easily reaching temperatures of 97° and 98°. The other main points brought to light in these reports are the steering which seems to be of a nature likely to give cause for severe criticism in the hands of many owners and the self-starter failing on several occasions and necessitating the starting handle being used. I should think that very possibly it will be advisable when the car has run a little more for Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} to go over himself to France and see exactly what is happening. As regards the question of who should go to America I quite agree with your views and will be writing to R.{Sir Henry Royce} so that he is au fait with our intentions on this subject. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} [Stamp]: RECEIVED XII III VI IX JUL 9 1930 HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||