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).
Report providing a performance review and owner feedback on an SS car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 153\4\ scan0135 | |
| Date | 10th December 1942 guessed | |
| Well sir, we have all driven each other's cars - & we all agree on the following. To avoid wearying you with chassis shortcomings please allow us to compliment Bentley on their gear box & steering & rockers. The SS{S. Smith} can be surmised in a few words. At 74,000 miles, it is DONE. When new - it was good for 85/90 mph 0-50 in under 10 secs 0-60 in under 15. & 0-70 mph in 20 secs. a perceptible crankshaft dither at 3000 rpm (58 mph) gradually increased until at 50,000 miles & this period was really nasty. The valve gear became noisy before 20,000. The owner's opinion can best be assessed from his final comment before selling last June. His wife - who selected the SS{S. Smith} in the spring of '38 on a/c looks & colour scheme Said 'George - isn't it worth renovating?'. 'Jauneincrackship, you mean' replied George 'It's cost me nearly £500 in 74,000 miles.' 3 | ||