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).
Special multi-stage road test in the Leith Hill district, outlining procedures for testing vehicle performance on various inclines and road surfaces.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 180\M5\ img023 | |
| Date | 25th August 1923 guessed | |
| 3W 47 DETAILS OF THE SPECIAL ROAD TEST. IN THE LEITH HILL DISTRICT. TOMORROW YELLOW CHOW 1. The vehicle will be loaded up to 4 tons 6 cwts. and the weight checked on the front and rear axle. The vehicles will leave London and proceed to making a halt 200 yards from the bottom of Boar Hill on the road to Leith Hill. The maximum gradient on this hill is about 1 in 6. The surface is excellent, and there are portions of the hill where the gradient lessens to 1 in 20. The time of each vehicle will be taken from a spot at the bottom of the hill to a selected spot at the top of the hill. The radiator temperature at the top of the hill should not exceed 100°F above atmospheric temperature. 2. The vehicles will then proceed to Coldharbour and halt at the Plough Inn. The temperature will again be taken and the vehicles will go up the Rough Hill at the back of the school at Coldharbour. The maximum gradient of this is 1 in 5.9. The surface is rough and stony and crossed by two diagonal depressions. The vehicles will be timed on this gradient for a distance of 300 yards and will be required to do this distance in 1 minute. 3. On arrival at the top of the hill on Coldharbour Common, the vehicles will proceed by the long but rough track to the top of The Gap. They will proceed down The Gap which is practically a sample. On the top part of the Gap the gradient is about 1 in 4, which rapidly eases off to about 1 in 15. The vehicles will turn at the bottom of the Gap and proceed up the same, halting at the top. They will then go along the valley northwards between Coldharbour Common and Leith Hill for a distance of about a mile to Whiteberry Gate. This is a rough road with a 9" rut running down the centre, and was at one time a corduroy road, but the logs have been removed. This test is specially to see the effects of severe vibration on the vehicle. The speed for this portion of the road should not exceed 30 m.p.h. 4. Each vehicle will then proceed through the gate at the bottom of Whiteberry Hill. The radiator temperature will be taken and the vehicle will be driven up to the top of Whiteberry Hill; for about 80 yards the gradient is 1 in 4. The surface is stony with short grass, but is hard and not affected by the weather to any great extent. Radiator temperature will be taken at the top of the hill. 5. The vehicles will then proceed to park at the Plough Inn, where a thorough examination of the vehicles will be made. Brake tests will be carried out on parts of Boar Hill on the return journey. | ||