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).
'Correspondence' page from 'The Motor' magazine featuring letters to the editor.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\4\ scan0062 | |
| Date | 11th April 1939 | |
| April 11, 1939. 403 The Motor Correspondence Letters intended for publication must be written on one side of the paper only and should be as short as possible. They may be signed with a nom de plume (except names of cars and proprietary articles), but the name and address of the sender must be enclosed as a guarantee of good faith. No responsibility is taken for views expressed by the writers. Address “The Motor,” 5-17, Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C.1. PRINCIPAL SUBJECTS THIS WEEK Petrol consumption: 100 m.p.h. Cars: Refutation of Insurance: Television and Motoring: Slippery Roads: Women and Sports Car Motoring. PUZZLE PICTURE.—Find the Policeman. An unobstructed view at a Lincoln crossing? If you look hard enough you will find him amongst the forest of beacons and posts. A Petrol Consumption Rule HITHERTO I have thought that the best way to get maximum mileage per gallon of petrol was (1) Drive at or near 30 m.p.h.; (2) maintain a steady pressure on the accelerator and not drive on the brakes; (3) drive with a minimum weight. Since completing a recent 200-mile run, these views, however, have been changed considerably. On that occasion I was hurrying, driving at speeds up to 60 m.p.h., and on several long stretches I held an even 55 m.p.h. The speed was frequently varied. My car is a 1938 Austin Twelve, in which, driving at about 30 m.p.h., I can get 29 m.p.g., and which, I consider, quite a good figure. On the particular 200-mile run mentioned, the fuel consumption worked out at the surprising figure of 32.9 m.p.g., although there were three of us in the car. Can anyone account for this unusual breach of the general rule about m.p.g., or is it the true rule? Newlands, Glasgow. HUGH BRECHIN. 100 m.p.h. Motoring to the Customer I HAVE always been fascinated by the accounts of standard cars that could be bought with a guarantee of a top speed of 100 m.p.h. in full touring trim. If such a car was so easy to purchase in the past, why are they so difficult to obtain to-day? Probably because people will no longer put up with acute discomfort for the sake of a few m.p.h. The standard 30-98 side-valve Vauxhalls (magnificent sports cars that they were), with which I came in contact, seemed to have a true top speed in still air of about 87 m.p.h. I timed a number. I wonder whether your correspondent “Vintagent” (The Motor, March 21) has any knowledge of the number of “100 m.p.h. in touring trim” guarantees that have ever actually been given in writing. I suspect remarkably few. It would be exceptionally interesting if any of your readers who have ever possessed such a written guarantee could describe the vehicle to which this document referred, and the check tests, if any, that were conducted to prove its maximum speed. One feels that the customer to whom the streamlined 4¼-litre saloon Bentley belongs must be very satisfied with its unguaranteed speed of 107 miles in the hour. Has not your correspondent “Vintagent” missed the features where the 1939 centurians show the greatest advance over their predecessors? Anyone who has handled one of these veterans recently, and within a short space driven either a modern Bentley or a Lagonda, will be able to appreciate that great speed is now allied with comfort, silence, smoothness, docility and economy. In other words, the open touring car with hard springing and little protection from the climate has now been replaced by a saloon which is exceptionally comfortable and requires no expert handling. Without these desirable additions speed to-day does not mean very much to the customer. Incidentally, talking of veterans, it is perhaps not generally realized that in 1911 a Silver Ghost Rolls-Royce did 100 m.p.h. at Brooklands, but, nevertheless, the manufacturers doubtless consider that the Phantom III is an improvement on their earlier efforts. Bowden, Ches. J. {Mr Johnson W.M.} P. BENNETT. [In “You’ll be Interested to Know” this week we observe that “Contact” has a tilt at the “vintage” car enthusiasts. Very naughty of him.—Ed. {J. L. Edwards} ] Make One Business Call and Insurance is Void I HAVE come across an interesting ruling by a local motor insurance concern. There must be hundreds of your readers who use their cars for business purposes, in that they motor to their offices. Many will have a Grade 1 cover, and some will have Grade 2, but it will, perhaps, be a shock for them to know that if they make any business calls for the purpose of soliciting orders or “an order,” they are breaking the law. Police, I am told, have special instructions carefully to investigate the movements of any motorist involved in an accident. Naturally, in a serious accident, the investigation will be most searching. If, as a result of this investigation, it is proved that the motorist had made a call to solicit an order, having a Grade 2 cover, the insurance people can legally refute all claims made against them. In other words, if any motorist uses his car to solicit orders, even if only on one day per week, he must have a full Commercial Travellers’ cover, which is Grade 3. My remarks may meet with the scorn of many, but let me point out that they have been written following a serious consultation with my insurance company. If a census were taken it would be found that many thousands of motorists are taking this risk, and I venture to state that it is mainly because motor insurance is not clearly explained. Liverpool. G. {Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} S. WILSON. c21 | ||