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).
Magazine article page reviewing an SS car's performance over 20,000 miles and featuring prize winners from Brighton.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 126\5\ scan0123 | |
| Date | 9th May 1939 | |
| The Motor 544 May 9, 1939. 20,000 MILES . . . . . . Contd. FRENCH FILLING STATION. The SS{S. Smith} answers best to a high-grade fuel, for the compression, like the performance, is high for a touring car. travelled with me go so far as to say the back is more comfortable than the front. The road-holding, of course, is famous. No need for me to talk about how the car corners and handles generally as a sports car should, although this is a full five-seater touring saloon and by no means a racer. So far there is no appreciable wear in the springs, no rattles in the body, and no kick in the steering. Another 20,000 miles will be time enough, one feels, for such matters to show up. Getting a Move On Quickly Possibly the most noteworthy feature is the ability to reach high speeds in very short stretches of road. One touches the loud pedal a bit and the car is doing 50 m.p.h. right away and 70 m.p.h. a moment or two later. There is no sensation of pace at all and no difference in the handling of the car between 50 m.p.h. and 80 m.p.h., except that one gets to the corners more quickly. Apart from the known acceleration and high speeds of the SS{S. Smith}, there are three features which are really outstandingly good—(a) the driving position, (b) the lights, and (c) the brakes. The first is really well thought out. There you sit with both front wings in view, and a steering wheel which goes up or down at will, so that you can get just the right hold on it (in my case, I sit well back and keep the wheel at arm's length—I like it that way), the seat is springy, but there's plenty of elbow room plus a neat arm-rest. The P100 Lucas head lamps are simply terrific and the dip throws the light just where it's wanted at night when meeting other cars. In addition, the two Lucas road lights or pass lights, or whatever they call them, are 100 per cent. for fog driving and are quite powerful enough for normal night driving without head lights at all. Things That Matter Girling brakes need no introduction. I will merely say that they are right up to their job, with even so fast a car as this, wear evenly, do not get out of adjustment, and wear very slowly. The gearbox is the next thing which merits a word of praise. This is delightful to use. With this car you can drive in top and third all day, but if you want to go all sporty that box will play every tune you require; the change is child's play, the ratios are silent, and the effect on the car when you use the neat little handle is what they call electrifying. Taken all round, at £445, I can't think how they do it. IDENTICAL WITH MINE. Mrs. Wisdom's saloon which won the up to £600 closed car class. SS{S. Smith} standard bodywork is a frequent winner in coach-work competitions. PRIZE WINNERS AT BRIGHTON (Above) T. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Bridgewater's 2½-litre SS{S. Smith} with drop-head body and (right) S. Hince's 1½-litre model with similar drop-head coupe coach-work. Both cars won their classes. B16 | ||