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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 report on a 20/60 HP Sunbeam, comparing its performance to a Rolls-Royce 20 HP model.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 24\1\  Scan019
Date  27th August 1925
  
S/W (HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair})
f446

c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}
PN.{Mr Northey}
Bt.{Capt. J. S. Burt - Engineer}

BJ. CWB21/LH{Mr Haworth}27.8.25.

20/60 H.P. SUNBEAM.

Through the kindness of the owner - G.R.Skinner, Esq., I was able to give one of these cars a pretty thorough test yesterday afternoon. The car was a standard 5-seater Open Touring model.

Generally, it has a good performance, but is not nearly so refined as our 20 h.p. The engine does not appear to have any definite periods - but is rather harsher than our 20 h.p. The brakes (front wheel, Perot system) are effective, but need considerable foot pressure to obtain the maximum effectiveness, and are not very progressive in their action.

The steering is excellent. It is very light and smooth throughout the whole range, and while it is reversible and there is a definite kick back if the front wheel strikes an obstacle, this is not nearly so great in magnitude as in the case of our 40/50 or 20 h.p. The steering lock is not very good, being certainly less than our own and the steering is geared very much lower.

The engine, - and indeed the whole of the chassis, is exceedingly clean externally, and it is obviously a simple matter to wipe down everything and leave it in a clean state after running.

The number of points at which periodic lubrication is required appeared to be very few compared with our own, although there were many points at which we put a lubricator where one was not present on this car.

Generally, the features which struck one most were the very careful design of detail to meet the convenience of an owner-driver, and the small amount of work which it would be necessary for him to do in order to keep it in proper condition; also, the relatively easy manner in which this work could be done.

CWB.
CWB.
  
  


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