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).
Visit to Brooklands to test a Spectre 2 against a Buick, detailing lap times and a subsequent engine failure.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 155\1\ scan0183 | |
| Date | 19th July 1935 | |
| To Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} X1320 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/FD.{Frank Dodd - Bodies}21/KW.19.7.35. Visit to Brooklands with SpectreCodename for Phantom III 2 & Buick, 18.7.35. SpectreCodename for Phantom III 2 and the Buick were taken to Brooklands to ascertain the lap speeds of the respective cars, also to try and reproduce oil leaks from the SpectreCodename for Phantom III gearbox. The Buick lap speed and time were:- 2 mins.11.4 secs = 75.8 MPH. " " 1/2 mile " " " " :- 23.3 secs = 77.25 " SpectreCodename for Phantom III 2. The lap speed and time were:- 1 min. 57 secs = 85.13 " " " 1/4 mile " " " " :- 20.9 " = 86.12 " In obtaining the lap speeds on the SpectreCodename for Phantom III the car circled the track three times. Of this distance approx. 6 miles were covered at full throttle. The first lap was at touring speed to warm up, and check obstacles on the track. The car was then stopped at the pit to remove a plate fixed on the exhaust pipe, so that a figure could be obtained with the cut out open. This entailed a 10 minutes stop. Three quarters of a lap had been completed with the cut out open, half of which was at full throttle, 92 MPH. on the speedometer being reached at the maximum point, when without warning or indication by fall in oil pressure, the engine ran a big end, No. 2 cylinder. At the time the bearing gave out the oil pressure was 23 lbs. per sq.in. The gearbox temperature was 68ºC, and the radiator water temperature 80ºC. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/F.Dodd. | ||