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).
Technical report on the performance of a 16/50 Humber car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 126\2\ scan0028 | |
| Date | 13th March 1931 guessed | |
| 16/50 HUMBER CAR. Engine. Generally smooth. There is one rather bad period which vibrates and rattles the gear change lever violently. Considering no type of crankshaft damper is used and the engine is not mounted on rubber, it is commendably free from vibrations and booms; at really high engine speeds it is remarkably good. Power is rather disappointing at low speeds - the complete car weight, nearly 31 cwt. however must be taken into consideration (it is almost as heavy as some of our lighter 25 HP cars). There is rather an objectionable whine, apparently from the timing chain, tappets are also rather noisy. Steering. Very good, free from road shocks, and has a good self centreing action. It has one peculiarity in that it is always stiff for the first few miles after being taken out of the garage, (after standing for some time). Springing. Harsh at low speeds over pot holes or anything but good roads. Pitches rather badly. Good for high speed control. Brakes. Effective, but affect steering, the car pulls to the left if the brakes are applied suddenly. Our experience of this type of brake is that equalising is always very difficult, and if correct equalisation is obtained it does not remain correct for long, perhaps Humber - who have had more experience with the self servo brake than we have - know how to make a permanent cure. Body. several rather alarming body knocks were apparent on rough roads, the knocks were not actually located. Gearbox. Gears, quite good, especially the silent third. The gear change is quite simple and easy to operate. Axle. Nothing objectionable was noticed from the rear axle during our tests. | ||