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).
Correspondence regarding overheating issues and proposed modifications for chassis 14-TM belonging to Don Juan Correa.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\1\ Scan171 | |
| Date | 10th November 1925 | |
| COPY. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} to W. Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} C. for SE. RV5/JMA/10.11.25. Re Chassis 14-TM. - Don Juan Correa. With reference to the above chassis which is leaving to-day for the Works for the fitting of F.W.B. you will no doubt remember that the owner sent a strong complaint to the Works some months ago on account of overheating. At the time of this complaint there was no recognised cure for it, and we had not received the special pistons etc. which was sent out to us later. As the weather was extremely hot at that time, we carried out various modifications which have helped us on previous occasions, such as removing thermostat valve, fitting high speed fan etc., but still the car continued to overheat more excessively than others, so I decided to carry out a further alteration, viz. fitting direct top water from cylinders to radiator and also changing top water jacket on front cylinder. This helped us considerably as we was then able to climb the Guadarrama mountains without water boiling whereas before we could not get half way up the mountain before the water was boiling. However, this kept the customer contented for the time being and on account of the cold weather coming on, we have been obliged to put back the thermostat with its own fittings. My reason for informing you of what we have done on this car, is that you may think convenient while it is in your hands for fitting of front brakes, to carry out the latest instructions to cure overheating at same time, as this is a very important man in Spain and he is constantly climbing these mountains in the course of his business trips and we are afraid if the car comes back to Spain and continues to boil, we shall have a great deal of trouble when the hot weather comes round again. This, of course, we are anxious to avoid as it gives everybody a bad impression. I also wish to let you know that this owner did not agree to the fitting of the louvred sides on bonnet. Mr. Correa is rather a speed merchant, and has a special German driver who gives us to understand that he was an official racing driver for the Oppel Co. for a number of years prior to entering the service of Mr. Correa, several years ago, when the first car Mr. Correa had was the number chassis 250S, with which I may say Mr. Correa has always been highly pleased even to this day. Before leaving the driver called here and asked if it was possible for him to have a look round the Works. We could not, of course, answer this question but as he is such an R-R.{Sir Henry Royce} enthusiast and has helped us considerably in hiding the overheating defect as much as (P.T.O.) ENCLOSURE No 485 | ||