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).
Confidential report page detailing feedback on a car's handling, controls, and features.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 69\3\ scan0033 | |
| Date | 19th January 1925 | |
| B.J.(Secret (contd) - 2 - Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}3/LR{Mr Ellor}/19.1.25. so much so, that had it been possible, I would like to have seen a graduated scale covering the approximate temperatures at the various settings of the control lever, or better still, the position in which it is recommended the lever should be set for normal conditions to get the best results. There must be some point where the lever is most likely to remain, and it would be a good thing, I think, to indicate this to customers, many of whom would be entirely at sea as to where to put it. They will, I believe, either forget to open it, or have it too far open and therefore have the engine too cold. (4) I do not like the throttle governor being set so late. The lever on this car has to be up more than half way in order to keep the engine running at all. I would much prefer its setting to be similar to the existing standard setting on 40/50's. (5) Steering Wheel. Without knowing the reasons of the spokes now being square instead of round, I can see no reason for altering this. I feel that it is undesirable to alter any points such as these, unless there is a definite need to do so. I prefer the present standard as regards this point. I like the Ignition Switch arrangement. This seems to meet all requirements in a very neat and attractive form. I also like the position of the Headlamps and arranged as they are on this car, I should think they should meet all requirements very satisfactorily. I found the steering of this car uncomfortably stiff, and I think it would prove to be a tiring car to drive over a long journey. It is especially stiff when manoeuvring. To get the wheels on full lock required a considerable amount of effort. So stiff was it, that on the one lock (I forget whether left or right,) it would not straighten up when the car again went forward, but had to be pulled round by hand. The cause therefore, appeared to be local in some way. I found this car skidded very badly. I admit the roads were in a particularly unpleasant state, but one felt rather helpless even when proceeding at a moderate speed only, on wood paving, if called upon to pull up quickly, as one immediately locked the back wheels, and the car slid forward with very little retardation. - 2 - | ||