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).
650-mile road test of a car, covering its performance, fuel consumption, weight, and a reverse judder issue.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 109\5\ scan0021 | |
| Date | 21th March 1938 | |
| 664- To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} re WXA-1. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}14/E21.3.38 Copy to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}I.G.2.Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} Whilst away I drove this car 650 miles. I was careful not to allow it to exceed 70 miles an hour because with the present axle ratio I did not want to risk over-revving the engine. I have sent the car to Derby to-day for the axle to be changed. Generally speaking, the car runs beautifully and is a delight to drive compared with the former car. I do not, however, propose to dwell on the improvement side as we know a good deal about that but only to deal with the points which require attention. 1. Petrol consumption. This I made to be approximately 13½ m.p.g. Kennett is checking it up more accurately but I think the result will be about the same. If there is any difference, I will let you know. If, as I understand, the higher geared axle will result in approximately 7% increase in petrol consumption, the result should not be far different from the present car. 2. Weight. Kennett has made careful weight comparisons between this car and GLG-5, i.e. with the same things on except of course wireless and heater which could not be removed. After deducting for these from the old car the difference in weight is that the new car is 1 qr.21 lbs. lighter, which is not of course very much but, nevertheless, it is a bigger car. 3. Reverse. I found that there was a very bad judder on this when used on an incline. You will remember that Cax. said 26-G-VI was free of this. This is something which I never remember experiencing with GLG-5 and it is something on this car which would not be acceptable so must be treated very seriously. | ||