Rolls-Royce Archives
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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).
Comparison of American cars with their own products, focusing on handling and mechanical noise.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 173\1\  img356
Date  19th February 1934 guessed
  
V

but would have been highly unpleasant on a Cambered French Route National or a winding English road. However the same may be said of almost every American car, and we simply have a different set of conditions for which to cater. I feel when I get back to Detroit at the beginning of March I shall get a better impression of these new cars as they will be less experimental by then.

Mechanical Noise.
There is not the least doubt that the American car, even in the medium priced class, is quieter with regard to front end noise and valve gear than our own products. I have been considerably embarassed trying to explain away the Bentley tappet noise. The Buick is a fair example of the push rod engine, some of the side valve engines are quieter.
I feel that we shall be better off with Textolite, though we can never expect five gears to be as quiet as three. Also that we must get silent hydraulically adjusted tappets all round with the minimum delay.
  
  


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