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).
Letter from Paris discussing the performance of the 'Streamlined car' and a test drive of a new 6-cylinder Citroen.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161\1\ scan0136 | |
| Date | 21th July 1938 | |
| 1245 To: "Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}". PARIS Sr21/Dn21.7.38 I have received your letter and memo this morning, and am pleased to see that "Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}" is showing interest in the Streamlined car, of which I am sending him photographs, and am getting a quotation for the body. I expect to see Paulin in a few minutes and will speak to him about front ends. Incidentally, this car is very economical on "gas". Punt, who took the car down to the South of France in 11 1/2 hours without "batting" it, or taking any risks, did the trip on a petrol consumption of 21 miles to the gallon. As for oil consumption, this is absolutely nil, the car having gone to the South and back, without using a drop of oil. As Mr Embiricos, who drove the car back from Cannes to Paris, told me he found it the most amazing car he had driven, and that he covered the last 275 kilometres in 2 hours 33 minutes without the slightest effort. He complained, however, about the efficacity of the brakes, and we have not yet succeeded in eliminating the heat. So much for the Streamlined car for the moment. oooooo Yesterday Mr Marcel Michelin called round and I drove with him towards Clermont-Ferrand in the new 6-cylinder 5-seater CITROEN, this car being the first of a series of 40 they have just put on the road. I have no hesitation in saying that it is the most interesting car of French manufacture I have tried during the last 10 years. They certainly have got down to the job in a very thorough manner, and the general silence is quite remarkable, being equal to, if not better than that of the 3 1/2 L Jaguar. The springing is good, road-holding excellent, though the steering, whilst extremely agreeable, and absolutely free from any joggles, on the main roads, would in my opinion, be considered by most customers, as being decidedly too heavy for town work or Alpine motoring. This is a point they appreciate, and they are going to tackle same seriously. The Pilot tyres fitted to this car were decidedly quieter than the ones we tried, which is a step in the right direction. The horse-power is 15 HP. The speed is 133 kms to 135 kms, and 90 kms was obtained on second gear. As | ||