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).
Car's first test run, detailing performance and issues with rattles, noise, weight, and suspension.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 72\4\ scan0294 | |
| Date | 8th June 1925 | |
| REPORT OF CAR'S FIRST RUN. The car was originally fitted with the semi-flexible attachment between the scuttle and the dash but after a very short run bonnet rattles developed and the two attachment bolts at the top of the dash were removed and total isolation instated which remained satisfactory for the rest of the run. The car was driven about 359 miles with an average of four people. Agood speed was maintained and some very bad roads were traversed. The scuttle & dash movement did not appear to excessive. Booming was remarkably absent for this type of body, in fact there could scarcely be said to be any boom at all. The parabolic back appeared to be a type of sound reflecter, but on the whole the body was remarkably quiet and free from vibration. Valances, these were not well carried out with a result that by the end of the running there was considerable noise from them. This defect is being remedied by Barkers. Where they had rubbed the sub-frame it illustrated that the total movement between the sub-frame and the main frame was about .187, ins. at the shut pillar. This of course consisted of the deflexion of the main frame, the sub-frame and the rubber supports. General Remarks. The weight of the battery and also the tool box seem to be too much for the step-irons as a result the running- boards were dancing about the whole while. The tool-box as supplied by Barkers we think is very heavy. The sample we have weighs about 1 cwt. We thought that the rear springs were too stiff and that perhaps the front ones could be slightly stiffer, although the steering was never made to take charge with severe braking The chief feature that struck the writer most was that although the passengers were on several occasions people who are known to be easily subject to sickness when driven a closed car no complaint was received. EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||