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).
Road test report for the 7 GOSHAWK II vehicle, detailing handling characteristics, performance, and mechanical issues over a 1426 mile journey.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 46\2\ Scan377 | |
| Date | 4th August 1922 | |
| V4086 Bk{A. Birkett - Commercial Manager}4/DN/4.8.22. FROM Bk.{A. Birkett - Commercial Manager} S/W. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 7 GOSHAWK II. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}4/LG27.7.22. During the 1426 miles which I drove this car, the only mechanical trouble experienced was due to the high speed jet sticking. The only other troubles were tyres. I endeavoured to get a lubricator fitted to the rear end of the propellor shaft but found it impossible. I therefore used a spare lubricator for oiling up and then fitted a wood plug and fixed it by a length of wire. The lubricator on the front end of the propellor shaft had become damaged and it was necessary to fit a new one. There appeared to be an excessive amount of play in this shaft. I found it necessary to add one pint of water to the radiator during the trip, although the weather in the South of France was extremely hot. The engine temperature remained almost steady at 75° C. the highest reading being 90° C. after switching off. The highest speed obtained was 50 m.p.h. The front springs fitted in Paris had no packing pieces underneath and they bumped about three times and only in Caniveaux. This car is particularly top-heavy and is absolutely dangerous on a <s>badly</s> cambered road. Also on striking a bad patch of road at anything over 35 m.p.h., it becomes almost a matter of luck if one keeps the car on the road at all. The steering is much too sensitive and becomes very tiring and nerve-racking on a long run. It is impossible to take corners fast in case one strikes bad pot-holes or the camber is excessive. The result is a very poor average speed and a continual feeling of unstability. The roads are of course in particularly bad condition and I have no knowledge of how any <s>other</s> car would perform on the same roads. I assume the shock absorbers were adjusted to the best pressure, but it was impossible to use the rear seat owing to the almost continual dither. The engine ran like a clock the whole time, but appears to consume quite a lot of oil. The R.W. wheels required a good deal of attention and had a tendency to work slack and squeak, particularly the rear ones. The front seat and driving position suited me very well but the side brake lever is too far forward. <s>When</s> the high speed jet stuck I took the <s>carburrettor</s> out and found it very dirty. The air valves also <s>requires</s> [required] regular attention. On a good road the car is perfect, but between steering, springs and <s>steering</s> one has a continual uncomfortable feeling that given the right circumstances, the car would easily turn turtle. Bk.{A. Birkett - Commercial Manager} | ||