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).
Customer complaint about engine fumes entering the car's cabin.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\5\ Scan009 | |
| Date | 28th May 1925 | |
| To Hm. {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} From BJ. Copies to Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Mr. H. {Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Handwritten: X.4118 Handwritten: WS BJ1/H28.5.25. Re Chassis No. 77-A-0. G. {Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} Vaughan-Morgan. Hml2/W21.5.25. We discussed this matter with H. {Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} , and there are apparently some grounds for misunderstanding, which should be cleared up at once, to enable this matter to be dealt with satisfactorily. 1. The customer complains chiefly that he is gassed when sitting inside the car, and becomes so ill that he cannot use it. 2. The driver's experience is exactly the same. 3. Eighteen months ago Mr. Georgeson of Hoopers tested this car and had exactly the same experience; he was ill for two days afterwards. 4. The customer does not want to have a Spinney ventilator, as he wishes to use the car in the winter without having a cold draught on his legs and feet all the time. 5. Mr. Hanbury personally examined the floorboards before the car went to Derby and reported that they were the tightest fit of any floorboards he had ever seen, and that there was rubber covering to them to prevent fumes rising. 6. There is evidently misunderstanding with regard to the smells referred to in Hm {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} 's memo. The customer mentioned that the engine smells were so strong that when he was running with the windows open he smelt nothing but engine, and could not enjoy the usual smells of the country. The customer's actual words were:- "The effect is about as pleasant as standing over the engine room of a steamer, and all the charm and scents and smells of the country when I am touring are entirely obliterated by the engine." 7. From the customer's experience it appears that the worst effect is gained by opening a front window on the nearside, which apparently lets in the exhaust gases and therefore causes the nearside front seat to be the worst position. This happens to be the seat in which he particularly wishes to sit. We should now like to be advised whether the only possible alternative to the customer getting gassed is to | ||