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 discussing a 15,000-mile test for two experimental cars, including details on scheduling, weight, and engine performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\5\ scan0178 | |
| Date | 21th June 1939 | |
| 1245 W/P. Sr. from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/R.21.6.39. Dear Sr., Confirming our telephone conversation this morning, I do feel that it is very important that while I am in France at the beginning of July you should take the opportunity of getting the maximum amount of experience on the two experimental cars which are about to start their 15,000 miles test. I think this is particularly important in the case of the Paulin car, because, if any modifications are necessary, these will have to be instructed as soon as I get back to the Works as the cars are at present being built. I feel that it is impossible to get a true value for the car unless it is driven under all sorts of conditions. I, therefore, hope that you will find it possible to remain with the car until at least Friday, July 7th. You can come back to Paris on the second car arriving at your office on Friday afternoon, and leave me to follow at my leisure. I had my first run on the Continental this morning, and am glad to be able to tell you that the general result is exceedingly promising. The only unfortunate feature is the weight of the car, but you are already familiar with this point. The car actually weighs 34 cwt. complete with petrol, tools, spare wheel, etc. As we have saved over 1 cwt. on the chassis this figure is somewhat disappointing, but I know that Paulin is hoping to save some weight on the coachwork in the future. We attach a power curve of the engine which we fitted to the Continental. This power is actually up to that developed on the Paulin when you did the hour's run at Montlhéry. We have not fitted a cutout to the Paulin car, but have fitted a double exhaust system instead. The double exhaust system gives the same performance as the cutout open, with the advantage that the customer gets the benefit of it all the time. This power curve means that the difference between the performance of the Embiricos car and the final Continental will be entirely due to the difference in weight and drag. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||