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 tests of car 18-G4, specifically regarding the silent second speed and modifications to the shock absorbers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5\1\ 01-page138 | |
| Date | 20th March 1933 | |
| To. Mr. Crux Ms. c. to For. c. to H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} c. to W. c. to K.{Mr Kilner} Rs.{Sir Henry Royce's Secretary}5/MJ.20.3.33. 20/25 18-G4. OAR. Replying to ag.19/T27.3.33. We have had 18-G4. car on the road and we have carried out tests with the silent second speed. We are satisfied with this. There are no signs of it working out of gear as reported on the Mensport box in France. We are also satisfied with the air silencer and carburetter. So far the tests on the axle control have been alright. The shock absorbers we are not clear on. We have got the new type shock absorbers fitted to this car but we are still having to carry out modifications to the method of fixing the lever on the shock absorber arm. Although ver.111 ran satisfactorily in France 10,000 miles without trouble and the Mensport has given no trouble, our tests show that if the shock absorbers get short of oil for any reason there is a danger of the levers working loose. This means that we have got to revert to a similar fixing to what we use on the present type shock absorbers, it is more expensive but we know that it will be reliable. This modification is being incorporated on the shock absorbers which are being built up in the Works. We fully realise the importance of clearing up the production modifications on the 20/25 and we have been working on them continually. The shock absorber is the most difficult unit. Our existing shock absorbers are giving very little trouble and until we can satisfactorily supply some form of control on the new dampers the customers will not appreciate any improvement. We are sending a separate report through on the general position of shock absorbers. In the meantime 18-G4. car is having to have new parts prepared in order to embody the modified fixing of the lever. It is possible that the car may be ready to go to France next week, but it is no use sending it unless we have done all we can to overcome the faults before it leaves. Ha. | ||