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).
Comparative road test in France between a 16-cylinder Cadillac and a 20/25 HP sports saloon.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 125\1\ scan0146 | |
| Date | 28th January 1935 | |
| W F Dodd x1729 copy to:- OC. O.{Mr Oldham} Wan S. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} HW/GC.28.1.35. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 16 cylinder CADILLAC - Steel Panelled Saloon Body by Fisher Body Corporation of America. 20/25 h.p. RR. 21-G-IV - Sports Saloon Body by Hooper. On Wednesday January 23rd.1935 I met JLE.{J. Lee Evans - Chassis Test Manager}, Mr.Munday of Barkers, Mr.Carpenter of Hoopers, Mr.Sparkes of Park Ward and Mr.Winter of Rootes at Victoria and travelled with them to Folkestone en route to Boulogne. At Folkestone a telegram awaited Mr.Winter recalling him to Coventry because of the death of Mr. Wishart, Chief Designer of Humbers, so he left us. The rest proceeded by boat to Boulogne, meeting Mr.Dodd of W's Experimental Department on the boat. At Boulogne we were met by Mr.Roberts, also of W's Experimental Department, with the Cadillac and 21-G-IV. After lunch the party split up - some leaving Boulogne in the Cadillac driven by Mr.Roberts, and the remainder in 21-G-IV driven by Mr.Dodd. We travelled via Abbeville and Beauvais to Paris the party changing positions in the care and from car to car on the way. We encountered many stretches of pavé in the towns and villages through which we passed - much of it in a very poor state. Between towns and villages the roads were on the whole not bad. The Coachbuilders' representatives, JLE{J. Lee Evans - Chassis Test Manager} and myself were impressed with the difference in the riding of the two cars and still more with the comparative freedom from body rattles and noises of the Cadillac over pavé as compared with the RR. | ||