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).
Test driver's impressions and critique of an 8-cylinder car's performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 109\4\ scan0083 | |
| Date | 13th May 1939 | |
| 666. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}2/G.13.5.39. 8 CYLINDER. My impressions of this car are :- Power unit is exceptionally good for response to the throttle, absence of torque period and crank period. It has the good feature of flexibility for traffic work i.e. engine does not stop when engaging and disengaging the clutch. There is a definite exhaust boom and noise from the engine, if the throttle sticks open slightly which it is at the moment prone to do. The accelerator pedal is a bit too heavy for delicate engine speeds, one probably would quickly get used to it. The travel is too short for full throttle opening; here again one could soon become accustomed to it. There is a pronounced boom at approximately 18 M.P.H., exhaust reaction in the body. Clutch. The clutch at the present stage is all that could be desired. Steering. I cannot find any criticism. Brakes. The braking system is not good. At slow speeds (traffic work) the front brakes are too effective, the application throws the passengers forward, and is very unpleasant. At speeds the servo is inefficient. Our servos are not large enough. There is no reserve for loss of efficiency (i.e. chief cause of customers complaints). Gear Box. There is something wrong with the 1st and 2nd gears. There is a vibration period low down which feels like weakness in the motion shaft. The third synchromesh requires bedding in, it does not operate with fairly quick changing. The 3rd gear is not up to our present standard of quietness. Rear Axle. Good. Ride. Springing - This is always an open question. My impression is the front is too soft for any speeds above 25 M.P.H. The full damping gives a better ride, but not at speeds below 25 M.P.H. With fuel damping the ride is knobbly. The car is very steady cornering. I did not check up dynamo output or try for faults re carburation, hot, cold, water temperature etc. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GW | ||