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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).
Feedback and issues with a car after a 200-mile test drive.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 111\2\  scan0385
Date  29th August 1938
  
800.

Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Wym.{G. Harold Whyman - Experimental Manager} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}

Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/R.29.8.38.

1.B.50

We have the following comments to make on this car on which we covered about 200 miles during the week-end.

The worst feature appears to be the tendency to transmit road noises through the column to the driver. This is, unfortunately, worse than on B.III, and may be a combination of body mounting and column support.

The ride on the whole seems quite good except that it is too hard in the soft position.

We should say that the amount of damping on the front of the car would be ideal for the intermediate setting of the hand control, but it is too hard for low speed riding.

The engine mounting is not as good as B.III, there is too much torque reaction.

The exhaust system squeaks badly when the engine moves. There is a vibration on the pedals round about 60 miles on direct which should be investigated.

The lower steering ratio should be put in hand immediately as this will be needed with larger tyres under parking conditions.

The brakes require rather a lot of pedal pressure after the Wraith.

The travel of the gear lever to get into reverse or bottom appears to be excessive, but this may be due to the position of the gear lever relative to the driving seat.

The synchromesh is not working satisfactorily.

A very noisy tappet came up which was worse than the one on 25.G. We should try and find out what causes these noisy tappets.

The speedometer seems to be slow, possibly due to the large wheels fitted to the car.
  
  


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