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).
Test results for climbing Ticknall Hill in car 10-EX, comparing different driving methods and other vehicles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 15\5\ Scan096 | |
| Date | 22th August 1929 | |
| X7310. To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AJL. c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AJL.1/MJ.22.8.29. X488. X8774. X7310. A series of tests were carried out to find out the method of driving to be followed in order to climb Ticknall Hill in the shortest possible time on 10-EX. The results obtained are as follows. Each test started at 10 m.p.h. (a) Top gear. Cut out closed. Time 56.6 secs. (b) Start in 3rd. gear change into top gear at 3800 engine r.p.m. Time 51.8 secs. (c) Start in 2nd. gear, change into 3rd. gear at 2800 engine r.p.m. and again into top at 2800 r.p.m. Time 51. secs. (d) (Test exactly as C.) but with cut-out open. Time 48.8 secs. (e) 18-EX. Top Gear. Cut-out closed. Time 57.5 secs. (f) Standard Phantom. Time 62. secs. A quicker gear change would give a quicker climb, a considerable time elapses after disengaging the clutch before the next gear can be engaged. Sir H.O.D. Seagrave's Indianapolis model Hispano Suiza climbs the hill in top gear in 52.4 secs. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AJL. | ||