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).
Letter from Ethyl Export Corporation regarding the performance and modification of a 1938 'Century' Buick.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 150\1\ scan0351 | |
| Date | 9th May 1938 | |
| 1282 CABLEGRAMS: ETHYLPORT, LONDON. TELEGRAMS: ETHYLPORT, SOWEST. ETHYL EXPORT CORPORATION Incorporated in the State of Delaware, U. S. A. {Mr Adams} with limited liability. THAMES HOUSE, MILLBANK LONDON, S.W.1 Telephone: VICTORIA 1441 OUR REFERENCE FRB/HME YOUR REFERENCE Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 14/R. Head Office: 405, LEXINGTON AVENUE, NEW YORK, U.S.A 9th May, 1938. W. A. {Mr Adams} Rowbotham Esq., Rolls-Royce Ltd., DERBY. Dear Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} , Many thanks for your letter of the 6th May. I appreciate Tuesday is rather a difficult day but hope to see you some time during the day for a few minutes. In regard to your latter paragraph, we have a 1938 "Century" Buick in which, incidentally, I am coming to Derby tomorrow. I will be using it all this week but we shall be very happy to let you have it any day next week, except Saturday. I can bring it down to Brooklands and meet you there, or you could collect it here and return it on your way back to Derby. Just as you wish. To tell you the truth, we are not very enamoured of the latest model Buick. In the first place, the carburetion at low speed and in top gear is rather poor and there is a definite flat spot immediately upon opening the throttle. Otherwise the engine seems to have plenty of power and after you have got over this initial flat spot everything seems alright. The rear coil springing was much too soft for our work over here and the car was definitely dangerous on Brooklands' track, but I have had heavier springs from the long chassis model put in, together with the latter model's shock absorbers, which can be stiffened up more. This modification has made the car somewhat "hard" at speeds up to 50-55 m.p.h., but above this speed it seems quite good. I have not yet had the opportunity of trying the new springing at Brooklands. I look forward to seeing you some time on Tuesday. Yours sincerely, Rod Banks. | ||