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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).
List of 19 criticisms and required changes for the '1 EX' car for West Wittering, including performance feedback.

Identifier  Morton\M22\  img085
Date  13th February 1920
  
To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R.{Sir Henry Royce}
Copy to Col.
ck.{Mr Clark}

ORIGINAL

6 EX SPEC
D

X.3923 RE CAR FOR WEST WITTERINGHenry Royce's home town.

For our guidance in the present and future output, will you kindly see that the next car to change with 1 EX. that comes here has the following parts which require immediate criticism:-

(1) R.R. wiring system, switchboard, and distributor, including modifications suggested by Mr. Clark. (Ref: X.3654, X.3618)
(2) Battery suspended from frame inside. (Ref: X.3533)
(3) Dynamo that can be taken down without removing the undershield (eyebolt and better terminal connection) (Ref: X.J867)
(4) Thermostat control of water temperature (no thermometer) (Ref: X.356[?])
(5) Filter on float feed chamber.
(6) Side filler on petrol tank. (Ref: X.3569)
(7) Double depth petrol suction pipe for reserve petrol. (Ref: X.3608)
(8) Petrol gauge if satisfactory solution found. (Ref: X.3581)
(9) Luggage carrier. (Ref: X.3587)
(10) Michelin disc wheels. (Ref: X.3412)
(11) Retaining disc for oil in back axle. (Ref: X.3592)
(12) Body with sufficient room behind and under steering wheel, i.e. 16 x 10.
(13) Windscreen closer to the steering wheel.
(14) Number of instruments reduced, and brought together as is possible with R.R. switchboard and no thermometer.
(15) Possibly slight modification to tappets to make them more silent.
(16) Back axle 3.5 ratio Gleason spiral bevel. (Ref: X.2613/SS{S. Smith}45)
(17) Rear springs without slits. (Ref: X.928)
(18) Rear shock dampers arranged for 60 lbs. maximum. (Ref: X.3461c)
(19) Grey paint (light) free from blue or green (Mr. Gibb's colour) with black leather and details.

I am very much more pleased with the slow running of 1 EX. which is now very consistent and regular. I found it necessary to slightly increase the clearance of the tappets so as to get six good tight compressions consistently, and I increased the gaps in the battery plugs to .035" each.

The steering is just perceptibly influenced by the side flexibility of the rear springs, but this added to muddy roads, seems to shew itself more than when the roads are dry.
R.{Sir Henry Royce}
  
  


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