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).
Providing a detailed performance review and critique of an Oldsmobile car following a weekend test drive.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 126\1\ scan0014 | |
| Date | 21th June 1937 | |
| S/W. To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} copy to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} copy to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} ARR 10697 Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}1/D21.6.37. Re: Oldsmobile. Referring to the above car which I used this weekend, the engine certainly seems to be very good indeed and very smooth. I see that the size of the engine is approximately the same as our 25/30. The performance of the car is excellent and of course a lot of this is doubtless the result of the comparatively light weight of the car. It would be interesting, when you take the engine out, to obtain information as to its horse power compared with a Rolls-Royce. I think in one of your memos, you said that it would be a good idea to put this engine in one of our cars and see what it is like. I do not know whether this is a very big job, but should like to know what you are proposing to do. The engine was the easiest starter from cold that I ever remember experiencing, but sometimes was quite difficult when hot. The clutch is excellent and one can make a very good start on second with the 3-speed box. I thought that the brakes were very effective; they can, of course be used unduly harshly so as almost to throw the passengers off the seat, but in the ordinary way are fairly smooth and soft and effective. The frame, as you said, is very bad for resonance over any kind of rough road and shows how a car can be spoilt by this feature. It reminded me of the first 'Wraith', but of course the Oldsmobile is worse in that direction. The visibility, as on all American cars, is very bad, the thick screen pillars being particularly tiresome. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||