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).
Letter from Rolls-Royce of America concerning overheating issues with L.H. Phantom II cars during hot weather.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\4\ Scan342 | |
| Date | 5th August 1931 | |
| COPY. August 5th.1931. Mr. Wheeler, Rolls-Royce Ltd., London, England. Dear Mr. Wheeler: Re: Overheating of L.H. P.II. Cars. During the recent hot weather which we have been having throughout this country, we have run into a general complaint of overheating of L.H. P.II cars. With atmospheric temperatures ranging from 85° to 100°F.{Mr Friese} the normal operating temperature lies between 90° and 95°C. This is particularly troublesome on cars driven in New York City traffic where the amount of idle running which is necessary because of the congestion, waiting for signal lights etc., causes the water to boil. The same condition is encountered on the highways, however, when these cars are given a burst of speed or made to pull hard. We find in some cases that the range of the shutter controls is not sufficient to allow the shutter to be both fully opened and fully closed, in which cases we make sure that the adjustment is such as to allow fully opening. We find that the sliding panels or louvres in the bonnet must be left open, and that a slight amount of slippage of the fan belt is sufficient to cause an undue rise in the operating temperature. Rather than report in detail the experience we have had with individual cars, we are treating the subject generally in this communication, for it is obvious that all cars of this series run hotter than those we have previously dealt with. We assume that you will be faced with the same problem in England and would appreciate receiving information as to how the matter is being dealt with in connection with customers' complaints. Yours very truly, ROLLS ROYCE OF AMERICA INC., BY (Signed) A.W. Southern. AWS/VMB. CC. Mr. Bailey - Derby. General Maintenance Manager. | ||