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).
Road tests conducted in France on chassis 60.JS, focusing on radiator and body movement.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 28\5\ Scan088 | |
| Date | 14th July 1932 | |
| To Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} From G.W.H. X457 Hotel de France, Chateauroux, FRANCE. 14.7.32. EXPL. WORK CARRIED OUT IN FRANCE WITH RADIATOR MOUNTED ON ENGINE. CHASSIS 60.JS.{Mr Johnson's Secretary} We have carried out your tests with 60.JS.{Mr Johnson's Secretary} The road we have used is 1.5 miles in length and is full of pot holes. A speed of 30 - 35 m.p.h. was most useful speed to carry out the tests. We found at higher speeds there was no appreciable gain in the movement of the wings or radiator. Our impressions of the car during the run down from Paris, and our own test road were as follows - On a good tarmac surface the wing movement and headlamp movement was 75% more than 19-EX. The bonnet was moving backwards and forwards either side the whole time at any speed. The radiator remained steady. However, as soon as a medium rough road was reached, there was a series of quick movements of the radiator sideways, bonnet movement increased. Upon running on a pot holey road, the whole front of the car jellied. The radiator banged from side to side full movement, at a period of approx. 50 per min. The knocks from the bonnet were fearful, the whole front of the car appeared to be falling off. This was at a speed of 30 m.p.h. At 20 m.p.h. it was not quite so violent but bad enough. The steering joggles were about normal at this speed. On a good surfaced road at 60 m.p.h. there was a feeling of a slow motion wobble. Upon going over the car before we started the test, we found the bolts holding the dash to the frame 1.5 turns loose. The N.S. wing stay nuts were all tightened up a turn. The headlamp bracket bolts were loose. The bonnet had an abnormal clearance at either end. There was 3/8" clearance at the scuttle. Results of Tests carried out with radiator mounted on the engine. Conditions. (Test 1.) | ||