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 assessment and comparison of an Austin Saloon and a Hillman Minx Saloon.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 128\3\ scan0074 | |
| Date | 3rd April 1940 | |
| Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} -2- Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/AA.{D. Abbot-Anderson}2/B.3.4.40. Austin Saloon (Ctd:- Gear Box 4 speed, synchro-mesh on 2nd, 3rd and top. Operation very stiff. 1st gear very noisy, 2nd and 3rd passable. Rear Axle Very noisy up and down at all speeds. Steering Tight and made the car wander a bit. It might be O.K. when it settled down. Brakes Girling - very good. Handbrake between the front seats and most 'get-at-able'. Springing Fair - car very steady on corners. Body Fairly roomy and quiet. Luggage space quite good - plenty of "parcel room" in the body. Small cubby-holes under the front seats. Windscreen opens. HILLMAN MINX SALOON - Mileage 1233. Engine Generally quiet and no fuss but a vibration noticeable over 50 m.p.h. Extremely good tick over. Quite a lively performance. Gear Box Synchro-mesh throughout; very smooth operation. 1st gear noisy, 2nd and 3rd passable. Gears can be crashed if quick changes are made. There is a noise noticeable at all speeds, apparently coming from the constant mesh gears. Rear Axle Audible at all speeds but just passable. Steering Inclined to over-steer - when one gets used to it, it is not unpleasant. Springing Quite good, back seat ride being quite pleasant at all speeds. The car is fairly steady on corners. Brakes Bendix - good. Handbrake situated between the front seats and operates on all four wheels. Body Quiet and roomy. Luggage space in the boot good but little "parcel room". Acceleration figures. 10-30 m.p.h. in top gear - 13.3/5 secs. 0-50 " through the gears - 26.3/5 secs. | ||