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).
Test drive report and commentary on Chassis No. 26-G-VI, detailing performance aspects like steering, suspension, and braking.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 108\1\ scan0294 | |
| Date | 29th January 1938 | |
| COPY. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} LE7/C/29.1.38. Re: Chassis No.26-G-VI. I went out on the above car with C. yesterday morning and my comments are as follows:- The steering is very good and on the ordinary roads is almost free from any joggling and road shocks and is undoubtedly even better than the Phantom III. It would be interesting to know how this behaves on Continental setts. The movement in the front of the car is a very great improvement on the present 25/30 HP. and the springing, although possibly on the light side, gives one a very comfortable ride. I should like the shock damper control to be increased quite an amount on the maximum side. The synchro-mesh on this car was particularly pleasant and nice and free in action. The 3rd gear is not as silent as some now on production. There is a vibration which is noticeable round about 28 to 30 m.p.h. on 2nd gear. This is not really objectionable and possibly may be due to the engine mounting. There is a slight boom, particularly on the over-run between 30 and 25 m.p.h. The clutch appears to be very good in action and there is no sign of joggling. One notices, however, when pressing the clutch pedal out, the feeling of a "wobbly" engine. Also I think the gear lever ought to be completely isolated. The braking is a very definite improvement on the present 25/30 HP. and is very much more effective and is a feature we have wanted for some time. The acceleration, particularly at low speeds, is better than the present standard 25/30 HP. We did not have an opportunity of trying the maximum speed, but the impression I gathered was that in spite of the car being bigger, the performance all round was a marked improvement over the 25/30 HP. I was unable to test the handbrake on a very steep hill, but from the feel of it I do not think there is any doubt that it will hold the car very much better than the handbrake on the Phantom III, which is not in any way efficient. | ||