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).
Illustrated magazine article reviewing a car's performance, gearchange, bodywork, and interior features.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\5\ scan0024 | |
| Date | 1st November 1940 | |
| November 1st 1940. The Autocar 439 two main-road gradients that are sufficiently steep to bring out the characteristics. One of these, having a maximum gradient of approximately 1 in 12, was approached at no more than 50 m.p.h., the overdrive being in use, and the intention was to employ direct drive (third speed) to maintain the rate. It transpired, however, that such was the power, even on the high gear, that the speed was increased without dropping down a ratio, and the summit of the fairly long hill was topped at nearly 60. In the other case, on a longer hill of which the maximum gradient lies between 1 in 8 and 1 in 10, and which contains a number of wide sweeping bends, the speed at no point fell below 50 m.p.h., direct drive being in use throughout on this occasion. There was a very fine feeling of stability on the corners. Second gear is a capital ratio for a burst of low-speed acceleration on special occasions or for the steeper kind of by-way gradient, and is engaged with complete certainty by virtue of the synchromesh. Delightful Gear Change The whole gear change is delightful to use owing to the balanced movement of the right-hand lever and the finger-light synchromesh applied to second as well as third and fourth speeds. The car can be started smoothly on second gear on the level. It is just possible to detect that fourth is an indirect ratio, but on no other car would one regard the gear as being audible. There is an important improvement here, the right-hand gear and brake levers being set farther back to afford easy entry and exit on the driver's side. The chassis carries a Park Ward four-door four-light saloon, a noticeably bigger body than formerly, having as practical points an almost entirely flat floor in the rear compartment, more width in both front and rear seats (the rear seat measures 46in. between the elbow-rests), and-considerably increased luggage space in the rear boot. Interesting points about this Park Ward saloon are the provision of a check mechanism whereby the rear doors, when opened beyond a certain point, are held firmly against falling back on passengers getting in and out. Also at night-time, with the side lamps in use, the twin roof lamps are switched on when either rear door is opened. Interior heating is provided by means of a small radiator unit, connected to the engine water circulation system, which is carried behind and below the instruments. On the instrument board is a rheostat control regulating the speed of the fan which distributes the warmed air. Hinged ventilator panels are provided in the front of the forward door windows, and the drop section of the driving side window has a quick-action lever control. There is electrical operation of the rear window blind, which is raised and lowered when a switch on the instrument panel is pressed. Then the bonnet is of a different type, hinged down the centre but having separate top and side panels, the top section lifting for ordinary inspection of the engine, whilst, if necessary, the side-pieces can be removed in a matter of seconds when a locking handle has been turned. Regulation of engine temperature is purely by thermostat, the slats in the front of the radiator being fixed. Smaller diameter wheels are used, carrying Avon 6.50in. x 16in. tyres; the wheels remain of wire type with the central locking nut fixing. The wheelbase is 10ft. 4in. compared with 10ft. 6in. A 5 Image Captions: Thermostatic control unit on the rear-ward carburettor for cold starting, eliminating a hand-operated mixture control. Twin carburettors, large air cleaner and intake silencer. Clean and impressive, as always, in front view. Showing the virtually flat rear floor and back seat details. | ||