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).
Vehicle test climb of Mont Ventoux, with performance data and temperature readings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 101\1\ scan0261 | |
| Date | 8th May 1936 guessed | |
| We started the climb of Mt Ventoux just outside Bedoin. The actual distance is 22 kilometres. Altitude at start 296 meters above sea level, average climb 1 in 13.5 maximum 1 in 7.15 height 1912 meters. At the top, snow was still on the road. a clearance having been made just sufficient to get through. This climb is really a test for speed. The gradient is not sufficient at this time of the year to affect water temperature. It is chiefly 3rd gear work. From a revision of one's own point of view the 3rd is too high, and the second too low. but this is a remark I shift from a speed climb point of view. the following figures were taken during maximum speed. 229V every 2 miles Time 24 min. Water, Oil, under Bonnet, Air 80, 78, 52, 25°c 80, 80, 49, 23/19°c 85, 82, 48, 22.15°c 83, 82, 42, 13 85, 82, 42, 10 average 82.6°c, 80.8°c, 46.4°c, 16.4°c Apart from a flat spot at 25 MPH the carburation was perfect at the top the slow running was very good and no sign of | ||