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 driver's impression report on a car's performance after a 60-mile run, detailing issues with various components.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5a\3\ 03-page196 | |
| Date | 29th December 1931 | |
| γ5840. To Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} C.W.Mor. from MX.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} MX{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer}8/T29.12.31. 18-G-4 - 10,000 miles test. Impression of car after an approximate run of 60 miles. The run had to be curtailed owing to the rain-storms spoiling visibility, the windscreen wiper being out of action. Engine. Very smooth at all speeds and free from periods, either torque, crankshaft, or boom. Gear Box. The gear change from third to fourth gear in either direction is delightfully easy. Although the third gear is quiet compared with standard production gear boxes it could not be truthfully called "silent third". The second gear quietness we consider is below the average of production gear boxes - the same could be said of the side shaft gear, although it may be considered that the noise from this would not cause unfavourable comment. There is quite an appreciable amount of slack in the transmission on indirect gears, this is particularly noticeable on the changeover from acceleration to de-celeration. The change speed lever requires too much effort to move across the gate and into first and reverse gear. Axle. This is noisy and is definitely below production standard of quietness. Presumably this has developed. Springing. The car rides hard at low and medium speeds. This impression is accentuated by an accompaniment of body rattles from the doors, scuttle etc. At high speeds too much attention is required to keep the car under control owing to a definite tendency to float about. Although the front end of the chassis as judged by the radiator appears to be reasonably good for "jellying" there is a lot of movement of the offside front wing and head lamp which does not appear to be the case with the nearside. contd- | ||