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).
Test drive report from Chateauroux, France, detailing vehicle performance issues including vibration, acceleration, and suspension.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\1\ scan0284 | |
| Date | 22th November 1933 | |
| X JV / 3A Hotel de France. Chateauroux. Indre. 22.11.33 To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} From G.W.H. I. B. IV. We arrived here at noon today. The jurney has been mostly in fog making it impossible to maintain high speeds. We called at Conduit street, but being late there was no one there except Mr. Cowen. He did not want to try the car, so we proceeded on our way, there was a thick fog all the way to Folkestone. The oil thermometer was fractured and was not reading the correct temperatures. The increased axle ratio has spoilt the acceleration, also maximum speed 4100 engine revs. is the highest I was able to get during the run here. There is no sign of over run period in the clutch drive. The engine is free from any marked roughness, but above 3000 engine revs. there is a bad vibration in the change speed lever right up to maximum revs. The slipper wheel clanks when accelerating from low speeds, the driving springs or the friction load is not sufficient, there is no sign of half crankshaft period. The steering is free from shocks, but is not as light as with the previous axle. The Brakes are efficient and progressive, front thump if applied sharply. The car does not ride well at speed, bounces to much and rides hard over pavé. The car is free from noticeable booms when in top gear. The car will start its mileage on Thursday. [Signature: G W Hancock] G.W.H. | ||