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).
Performance and issues report on various vehicle systems including tyres, brakes, and electrical.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 97\5\ scan0013 | |
| Date | 20th January 1939 | |
| -3- RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale}9/MH.{M. Huckerby}20.1.39. Tyres. Have worn to 130 oz-ins. out of balance. If FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} is correct in his surmise that out of balance is an unstable condition, then the wheels may have to be balanced because the result is terrible. Brakes. Light to use and effective. Occasional slight squeaks from servo and brakes; the combination of linings used is fairly satisfactory. Compared to B.II brakes they are very consistent, further improvement is possible in this direction. The hand brake requires a tougher shield. Petrol System. Both pumps worked the whole trip and are virtually inaudible. We found difficulty in filling the tank on occasion due to insufficient venting. Possibly French petrol pumps deliver rather fast. A reserve gallon system would be an advantage. Body. Good. The worst trouble is fumes entering. The window winders are not robust enough to open iced up windows, the doors lock themselves very unexpectedly. Electrical. No trouble except the wind tone horns, which are unsuitable for French touring. A Frenchman differs from an Englishman in that he expects and demands audible warning of a driver's intentions. Wind tone horns do not provide audible warning except at low speeds. We reset the plug gaps at the beginning of the trip and had no misfires. Yellow headlights essential in France. Heater. The heater was excellent but the demisters a somewhat doubtful advantage. More positive demisting is desirable. It is a pity that an open screen makes such a noise as it demists most excellently. | ||