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 from the chauffeur to H.R.H. Duke of Kent regarding car maintenance and performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 96\1\ scan0045 | |
| Date | 7th September 1936 | |
| COPY LETTER FROM - MR.FIELD. (CHAUFFEUR TO H.R.H. DUKE OF KENT) Villa Bunca, Gatief, Dalmatia, Yugoslavia. September 7th.1936 Dear Mr Archer, Many thanks for your letter and parcel containing oil relief valve. It duly arrived here on the 5th inst. from the Royal Palace at Bled, and please to say I have fitted same yesterday with a little difficulty, and it now seems alright. Of course I do not know what difference you have made in the construction of this article, but I have suspected it as I have had trouble with oil (insufficient) getting to the rocker shaft. I caught it in time owing to one tappet making a noise, so I removed the valve cover and could see there was not much oil coming through. I then removed rocker shaft oil filter, which I found very dirty after 1,500 miles running (The instruction book says clean out after 10,000) Anyhow I have not had trouble with that since, although might I suggest that it is taken out when engine is cold, as it is impossible to put same back again without leaks owing to expansion and contraction. Have also fitted new petrol pump and sincerely hope it will last until we return. Now as to the performance of the car, it has been marvellous. Has made an average speed of 75 m.p.h. for 37 miles, 4 persons and a fair amount of luggage. 90, 95, & 102 m.p.h. this was done after the car had 1,500 miles on the Riechs autoban or Hitlers new road from Munich to Rosenheim, Salzburg. We have been on two or three of these roads since, doing a similar amount. At these speeds she was noiseless and no vibration felt at all, in fact owing to open country it was impossible to realize the speed. H.R.H. was driving at this particular time. The next day after this we went from Salzburgh to Bled, climbing for 6 hours. Luey Pass 20 miles, gradient 1 in 5, 6, 8, average speed 35 m.p.h. then Radstat 2.808 ft. gradient, 1-8-9 to Unter Tauern, 3,294 ft. gradient 1 in 5, then to Tauern Pass 5,700 feet. Twing 4.088 ft. Wautendorf 3,681 feet. St.Micheal 3,504 feet. Gradient 1 in 4.5 and 1 in 3 1/2. Then Katschberg Pass 5,384 feet. Gradient 1 in 5.7, Rinnweg 3,745. The last one of the days run was the Wurzen Pass two bad bends 2,779 feet from Villach to Bled and is 6 keloms climb. The car reached a speed of 40 m.p.h. on this which is really contd | ||