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).
Competitor's (Lagonda) sustained speed tests and expressing doubts about their car's capabilities on German autobahns.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\2\ scan0015 | |
| Date | 19th October 1938 | |
| 1260 Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Gx. c. Bly.{B. W. Bleaney - Bentley Sales} BY.6/G.19.10.38. RE: SUSTAINED MAXIMUM SPEEDS. Referring to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}14/E.17.10.38. and the letter which has been written to J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} Barclay, Esq. the test which Lagonda have conducted to prove that their cars will stand up to continuous fast driving on the new roads in Europe is hopelessly inadequate for the purpose. It is worthy of note that the test has been run during cold weather when the oil will be considerably cooler than under hot summer conditions on the Continent. I feel pretty certain that neither the 6 cylinder Lagonda nor the 12 could be driven continuously at maximum speeds on the German autobahn roads after they had done a fair amount of mileage without having the same troubles that we ourselves are experiencing. I have asked Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} to give this matter closer consideration, and will give you some further information on the subject later. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} | ||