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 and specification sheet for an Alvis 'Speed' Twenty car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\4\ 04-page034 | |
| Date | 24th May 1932 | |
| SC. FROM DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} K4213 DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/M24.5.32. C. to R.{Sir Henry Royce} WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} C. to HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} ALVIS 'SPEED' TWENTY. X.4553. X.3531. Through the courtesy of Park Ward we were able to try one of these cars, and fortunately it was fitted with an open body, (a saloon was not available). It was the open body built by Van de n Plas for Messrs Chas. Follet Ltd, and which is to be illustrated every week in the 'Motor'. GENERAL SPECIFICATION OF CHASSIS. ENGINE - 6 cyl., 73 mm X 100 mm., 2511 cc. RAC. rating 19.82 HP., tax £20. ENGINE TO AXLESHAFT RATIOS 4.5, 6.65, 9.59, 14.8. WHEELBASE 10' 3". TRACK 56". Weight of open car 26 cwts. WHEELS: 5.25 X 30" (18" rims.) ENGINE REVS: aprox 2200 at 40 m.p.h. giving a rolling dia to the wheels of 14.5", which is about correct. MAX: SPEED CLAIMED: 88 m.p.h. which means 4840 r.p.m. CHASSIS PRICE: £600. We had this car on the road for 2 hrs. both in London traffic and on the North London by-passes. The writer drove part of the time. Rain was falling heavily and the road conditions were bad. ENGINE. The engine had 3 SU. carburetters, and the valves were push rod operated. One could drive in London traffic in top gear, but by far the best performance was obtained by the use of 3rd. almost continuously. However from dead slow in top gear the throttle could be pushed wide open, and the engine would pick up without hesitation. The worst engine period that one was able to pick out appeared to be at 33 m.p.h. in top gear, that is, | ||