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).
Impressions and criticisms of a car after examination and testing in France.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\5\ scan0037 | |
| Date | 12th March 1937 | |
| HOTEL DE FRANCE. CHATEAUROUX. Indre. France. 12th March 1937 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/IMW{Ivan M. Waller - Head of Chateauroux}/2/JAB. 3. B. IV. To. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} o.{Mr Oldham} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} o.{Mr Oldham} Sr. Paris. Sr. gave me his impressions and criticisms of the car when I took it over in Paris and asked me to convey these to you. I have delayed this during our prelemenary examination and testing, and can now give you Sr's report in conjunction with what we have found regarding it. 1) Oil pressure down to 23 lbs/sq" at 100°c. Sr. found that if the car was driven hard using the gears a lot, the pressure fell to 17 lbs/sq" without any further rise of temperature. We have not reproduced this. The pressure has been increased to run between 25 and 30 lbs/sq" by stretching the relief valve spring as instructed. 2) Brakes pull at rear. Sr. further added that if violently applied, particularly on a wet road, the car would be almost certain to spin round. We should not be at all surprised - the brakes are fully dealt with in various memos and the Daily Reports. 3) Oil leaks from engine on to exhaust pipe. We found leaks from the oil filler cap due to loose rivets on the rim and leaks from the oil feed to the engine gear case due to the steel insert where the banjo union of the feed pipe fixes, being loose in the crankcase. There are also slight oil leaks from the bottom joint of the engine front. 4) Car Heater. Sr. does not consider this well placed as the hot air is blown too directly on to the occupants of the car. We are in complete agreement, a blast of local hot air is most uncomfortable. 5) Suspension not comfortable, and first impressions not at all favourable. When accustomed to the car, he found it pleasant to drive, but pointed out how it is the first impression that counts with a Customer. He preferred the car with the control to the front dampers on "minimum". We have found the car nice to steer and corner, but the control of the rear axle useless for wavy surfaces at speed when the rear floats so badly that it is a relief to finish a journey. The rear axle also jazzes badly with heavy braking. The front is good and we have no complaints. It is advisable to use "maximum" at speed on very rough roads but it is too hard at low speeds on "maximum" otherwise, it is not important where it is set. (Contd) | ||