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).
Alterations and performance testing of car 115-WJ, belonging to the Prince of Wales.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 52\4\ Scan112 | |
| Date | 26th April 1930 | |
| Wor. {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} -BY- -DA {Bernard Day - Chassis Design} /EV. {Ivan Evernden - coachwork} E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Y4521 EP {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} 1/H26.4.30. re. 115-WJ. Prince of Wales. The above car, after alterations to the fixing of the spare wheel, springs and body work etc. has again been put into commission for the Prince's arrival, and we are informed that Mr. Ladbrook, the driver, reports very favourably on the running of the car. He reports that 80 m.p.h. on several occasions has been obtained, and he found the steering and springing under these conditions very satisfactory, in fact he was generally very pleased indeed with the car. No adverse comments were made about the jellying which, if anything, does not appear to be any worse since the alterations have been effected, in fact now seems to be quite normal. The springing, from our point of view, seemed rather on the hard side, but this condition seems to suit the Prince. The total weight of the car is 49¾ cwt. and with 4 passengers, 16 galls. petrol, spare wheel at the rear and 56 lbs. luggage in the trunk, the rear buffer clearances are 3¼ and 3½. The strength of the springs fitted are - Rear near. 1370 Lbs. Rear off. 1360 Lbs. Trouble was experienced during the test with the starter motor, which JLE. {J. Lee Evans - Chassis Test Manager} reports failed to engage. The starter motor was changed at 'N' who report that the front bearing of the pinion of this starter motor had been galled up. The motor has been corrected by 'N' and taken into their stock, and we are asking for 'N' to report on the matter. Smith's four-wheel jacks are fitted to this car, which reduce the ground clearance below the axles. We understand the weight of each jack fitted (unsprung) is 7½ lbs. These jacks were fitted in spite of our objections. EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||