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).
Brief test run of a Hillman Wizard '75' car, detailing its particulars and general impressions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 181\M9\ img067 | |
| Date | 2nd October 1931 | |
| He/Jsd.2/CT.H.10.31.contd. THE HILLMAN WIZARD '75'. In connection with the Motor Show report we give particulars of a brief run on a Hillman Wizard '75' which we have been able to test out. Car Particulars. Engine. 6 cyl. Bore 75 mm. Stroke 106 mm. 2810 cc. Treasury Rating 20.9 Advertized as developing 54 B.H.P. at 3400 R.P.M. Gear Ratios. Top 3.22 3rd. 7.655 2nd. 12.89 1st. 19.31 60 M.P.H. in top gear = 3660 R.P.M. Car Weight. 27 cwt 1 qr 14 lbs. (close coupled saloon) General Impressions. The first impression is one of excessive fussiness due to the low top gear ratio and various small mechanical noises, piston checks, timing chain whine and gearbox gear whine. Owing to the fact that there is no appreciable drumming, overrun vibrations, or exhaust booms, the first impression of fussiness is not worrying, one quickly becomes accustomed to it and it is not troublesome. There is a bad torsional crankshaft vibration at 35 M.P.H. in top gear and at 35 M.P.H. in third which is equivalent to approx. 3000 R.P.M. allowing for the speedometer being 5 M.P.H. fast at 60 M.P.H. (which the impression one gets). Apart from this the car is commendably free from engine periods or booms throughout its speed range. Carburation is good, free from flat spots, picks up from 5 M.P.H. without any signs of loading up in spite of a very low cylinder water temperature (40°C.) The gearbox is fitted with a silent third gear which is quite quiet; there is no apparent attempt at providing an easy change, and changing between top and 3rd. gear is not easy; it appears probably due to some fault in the car in question, selectors stiff or some other cause and not a general fault. The clutch on this particular car jaggered slightly if not engaged carefully. Only the last small | ||