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).
Road test review page from 'The Autocar' magazine for an Oldsmobile Six Touring Saloon.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 126\1\ scan0013 | |
| Date | 4th June 1937 | |
| 1004 The Autocar June 4th, 1937. 'The Autocar' Road Tests scuttle, on the right-hand side, the handle hanging downwards. As a parking brake, and for holding the car on a gradient as steep as 1 in 4, it is entirely satisfactory. It is not awkward to pull on, and is easy to release. There is no obstruction to the driver using either door. He is seated fairly well up, and has a large-diameter steering wheel brought well towards him and not set particularly high. The bonnet level is, however, high in respect of forward vision, and, as the visibility chart indicates, neither wing was visible to the average-height man concerned. More especially at first, this makes the judging of widths a little difficult. The V-shaped windscreen has a by no means thick centre pillar, but at times the side pillars of the windscreen can form a distinct blanking medium. Good control over ventilation is provided by pivoting panels in the forward door windows. Mirror View, Lamps, Horns There is a convenient switch at the end of an arm carried on the steering column for operating the traffic signals. As usual in the American cars, the view given by the driving mirror is praiseworthily comprehensive. No rear window blind is fitted, however. The head lamp beam seems capable of being quite good, though on this particular car it required adjustment. For sheer road clearing, on the relatively few occasions when such is really needed, the twin horns fitted have advantages, but one cannot help feeling that the note is unnecessarily strident at close quarters. True, it is possible to "flick" the switch, but this cannot be relied upon as an every-time method. A good wireless set is fitted on this de luxe model, and the controls are built in at the centre of the instrument board. An electric clock is included, and an important point is that safety glass is fitted all round. At night the instruments, which are grouped in front of the driver, are admirably illuminated by a system which throws the markings into relief, yet causes no glare. This de luxe model has a fog or auxiliary lamp fitted low down in front of the car. The petrol tank is of useful capacity on this latest example, but, typically, there is no reserve tap. The tank filler is more conveniently situated than is often the case nowadays. Good support is given by the seats, and the cloth upholstery is comfortable. The single-piece front seat is immediately adjustable for position, a catch at the driver's side having been lifted. As the adjustment goes forward the back rest tilts slightly towards the vertical. The rear seat is lower than the front, and there is an excellent sense of space about the back compartment, due not only to the three-seater width of the cushion, but also to the absence of any propeller-shaft tunnel protruding into the floor. On the floor is a sheepskin rug. The doors of the Fisher all-steel body open easily and shut without special slamming. There is no sliding roof (£15 extra). Twin suction-operated screenwipers are fitted, and show no marked tendency to "dry up" under acceleration, a special pump being fitted to assist their action. They work efficiently, but are a little noticeably noisy, especially when driving in town with frequent stops for traffic. One of the largest luggage compartments provided as standard on any car is found on this Oldsmobile. It has a truly admirable capacity, a shelf, covered with carpet, being fitted over the spare wheel carried horizontally below, and providing an excellent platform for suitcases under cover. It seems that the wide lid{A. J. Lidsey} fits particularly well to exclude dust and water. Under-bonnet Points On this latest car the bonnet is hinged normally down the centre, but opens only from the top, a side section remaining in position, though they are removable, if necessary, when bolts have been undone. To inspect the dipstick involves leaning over the wing, but the process is simplified by its being carried in the cap of the oil filler, while the water filler is high up and can be reached from the front. Automatic choking of the mixture is provided for starting from cold; the engine fires regularly at once, soon gaining an efficient temperature. A hand throttle is fitted and the starter switch is foot operated. DATA FOR THE DRIVER 28.3 h.p. OLDSMOBILE SIX TOURING SALOON. PRICE, with four-door touring saloon de luxe body, £425. Tax, £21 15s. RATING: 28.3 h.p., six cylinders, s.v., 87.3 x 104.8 mm., 3,764 c.c. WEIGHT, without passengers: 31 cwt. 3 qr. 8 lb. LB. (WEIGHT) PER C.C.: 0.95. TYRE SIZE: 6.50 x 16in. on bolt-on pressed-steel wheels. LIGHTING SET: 6-volt. Automatic voltage control. TANK CAPACITY: 14.5 gallons; approx. normal fuel consumption, 18 m.p.g. TURNING CIRCLE: (L. and R.{Sir Henry Royce}) 37ft. GROUND CLEARANCE: 7.5in. ACCELERATION From steady m.p.h. of: Overall gear ratios - 10 to 30 - 20 to 40 - 30 to 50 4.33 to 1 - 8.3 sec. - 8.6 sec. - 9.5 sec. 7.18 to 1 - 5.6 sec. - 6.4 sec. - 9.0 sec. 12.73 to 1 - 5.6 sec. From rest to 30 m.p.h. through gears, 5.8 sec. To 50 m.p.h. through gears, 14.7 sec. To 60 m.p.h. through gears, 21.0 sec. To 70 m.p.h. through gears, 33.5 sec. 25 yards of 1 in 5 gradient from rest, 5.2 sec. SPEED Mean maximum timed speed over 1/4 mile m.p.h. 79.30 Best timed speed over 1/4 mile 81.82 Speeds attainable on indirect gears (normal and maximum) 1st ... 19-32 2nd ... 44-59 Speed from rest up 1 in 5 Test Hill (on 1st gear) ... 19.86 BRAKE TEST: Mean stopping distance from 30 m.p.h., 32.5ft. (Dry concrete). Performance figures for acceleration and maximum speed are the means of several runs in opposite directions. [Image Caption] Showing the result of the visibility test applied to the six-cylinder Oldsmobile. A 48 | ||