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).
Trial of Sir Dennistoun Burney's car, detailing its performance and design features.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 24\1\ Scan071 | |
| Date | 6th January 1932 | |
| c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Rg.{Mr Rowledge} Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} From E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} X4484. E.2/AD6.1.32. SIR DENNISTOUN BURNEY'S CAR. On Sunday last I had lunch with Sir Dennistoun Burney at Chichester and afterwards made a trial of his latest production which he is taking to America by arrangement with Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} came with me to get an idea of the car from the coachwork point of view. I drove the car over the roads we use most frequently in this district to get a direct comparison with our own. This model has a straight eight 4-4 litre engine of American origin delivering about 80 BHP. It can be said at once that this experience largely confirms the impression gained from Hel/MA7.12.31 and Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}3/MJ7.12.31. The accomodation in the back is luxurious, and the riding very good indeed. The engine and transmission inaudible in normal operation, and performance, adhesion and absence of rolling appeared to be very good. It is interesting to note that this degree of perfection has been arrived at in a comparatively crude way without such resources which we have at our command and with very little finessing. The most unpleasant features of the car are the intense wind noise and inferior riding in the front seats. These sensations would appear to be inseparable from a position so close to the nose of the car where the air disturbance and body movement are at a maximum, but would no doubt be tolerated on a chauffeur driven car. For ownerdriven types it would appear necessary to move the front seats much further back and accept some sacrifice of stream line form for the sake of quietness and improved riding. Another feature of the car open to criticism is the position of the petrol tank in the front of the dashboard. Unfortunately it is difficult to find any other place on the car for this necessary adjunct. | ||