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).
Comparing the 40/50 HP model's low axle ratio performance against a Packard, discussing displacement, acceleration, and weight.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 127\1\ scan0155 | |
| Date | 8th January 1927 | |
| To PN.{Mr Northey} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} c. to Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} 40/50 HP. LOW AXLE RATIO. With reference to PN{Mr Northey}18/GM6.1.27. The displacement/ton mile of 103-MC is 6850 litres, that of the Packard 8-cyl. is 8120 litres. However our impression of the Packard the other day was that they do not approach our low speed MEP. This is not surprising as they have to fill up their cyls. at 3000 r.p.m. to get the benefit of their low gear ratio. We should therefore estimate that 117-MC is perhaps 8% down on low speed acceleration. This would be almost counterbalanced by fitting a 14-tooth axle. If in addition the body could be made 1 1/2 cwts. lighter than 103-MC, the Packard performance should be excelled. We should like to emphasise that weight is of vital importance in hill climbing. 3 cwts. removed from the body being equivalent to a one tooth lower axle. We have nothing in this department that could be used for a demonstration. Incidentally, we hear from CY. that the latest Packard steering is actually worse for wandering than the one we tried, in which case we are surprised that they ever effect a sale to an owner-driver. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} | ||