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).
The poor performance of car 58-GN and a request for it to be improved.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\3\ Scan255 | |
| Date | 17th July 1931 | |
| Copy. To Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} re 58-GN. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}21/E17.7.31. Re the above, which is the car that I use, I am frequently asked to let this car be used for a demonstration run and I always see that such an arrangement has preference. You will possibly remember that, when LHS{Lord Herbert Scott} and I came up to Derby on it for Prince George's visit, I was telephoned from London who asked if I would allow it to go to Birmingham for some demonstration purposes as there was no London car available. This was arranged. Apparently it did not give a good impression, partly on account of the low rating springs, which the people who tried it did not like, but more particularly on performance. I asked PN{Mr Northey} to submit this car to a proper test as I feel it is quite wrong for me to be using a car which is below standard and of which, when I am asked to allow it to be used for trials purposes I should have to say that it cannot be used because it is not good enough. The lap speed of the car at Brooklands was 77.1 m.p.h. whereas 189-GN came out at 82.5, the latter being our London Trials car with quite as large and heavy a body. I should be glad if you would see EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} about the matter and possibly also Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} who knows the car well, and let me have your suggestions as to what should be done quickly to bring the performance up to standard. The car was recently decarbonised at N. so that carbon cannot be the trouble. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||