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).
Faults with the 20 HP car's front wings and lamps, and a performance comparison with the 14-G4 model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5\2\ 02-page323 | |
| Date | 5th April 1929 | |
| -3- Ha/3a.1/RL.5.4.29.Contd. our 20 HP. tests over here it has been reported that the front wings cannot carry the head lamps. The wings and wing stays break up, the front of the car rattles, night driving becomes acutely unpleasant as the head lamps cannot maintain their focus, in fact the car is completely spoilt by this feature. The argument that it does not occur in England cannot carry any weight if 10,000 miles in France is to be recognised as being a useful test. We think that immediate attention should be given to improving the 20 HP. front wing stays and carry the head-lamps as on No.11. COURT FOOT SWITCH - The contact pins of this unit should be in spring steel. It is very dangerous if these fail (as they have done frequently) as the driver can be plunged into darkness travelling at 50 M.P.H. (See G.M. 5,000 and 10,000 miles report). LUCAS HEAD LAMPS - The reflectors have failed and the attention of the makers should be drawn to the poor quality supplied. ------------------ As a general observation, 14-G4 appears to be a very great advance over any 20 HP. car we have so far had both in performance and wearing qualities. One feels that for Continental conditions the higher geared axle might be preferable. Owing to the excellent acceleration, the car reaches its maximum speed so rapidly that it gives the impression that it is undergeared on long straight stretches. Ha/Ra. | ||