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).
Road test report of a 2,700-mile continental trip in car 8.S.V.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 97\4\ scan0264 | |
| Date | 17th December 1938 | |
| 400b To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. Dn. c. Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} c. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} c. OEH. A CONTINENTAL TRIP ON 8.S.V. Accompanied by Mr/FD.{Frank Dodd - Bodies} I have just completed about 2,700 miles in France and Italy on 8.S.V. This is the first occasion on the Continent during which I have not felt that a larger car would be more comfortable. In my opinion 8.V. is a greater improvement over 8.II than the other independently sprung cars have been over their predecessors. 8.S.V. goes straight down a straight road, corners fast without effort and can be steered into and out of the camber accurately. B.56.BN.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} which met us at Newhaven was a rough, unmanageable car by comparison. Our route via Carcassone, Nice, Genova, Milan, Bergamo, Grenoble and Le Mans included every type of road from the Massif Central to Italian Autostradas. A better car as regards handling and brakes could not be desired. The greater engine silence coupled with the overdrive and consequent lack of fuss encourage high speed cruising. As regards faults, some of which were known before the car left Derby; the synchromesh between top and overdrive still requires to be made to function correctly. The gearbox is not sufficiently quiet. Stones bent the guardfor the hand brake ratchet and jammed it. Stones also bent the controls to the governor unit altering the range of damping obtainable. The nuts at the front end of the suspension triangular stays have insufficient ground clearance and hit the road in a cobbled street. On three occasions inlet valve springs broke, on the first of these the valve guide also broke, the valve hitting the piston and it was necessary to be towed into a garage to effect sufficient repairs to get to Paris on 5 cylinders for spare parts. Valve springs and camshaft are as previously run. The trouble is being investigated. Exhaust fumes still enter the car and are objectionable. A propellor shaft vibration exists between 50 and 60 m.p.h. at more than half throttle. Light brake squeaks were noticed occasionally. | ||