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).
Secret report detailing vehicle performance issues and suggestions for improvement, covering steering, petrol feed, and engine components.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65a\3\ scan0044 | |
| Date | 25th June 1929 | |
| SECRET To Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from Cg. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}5/E25.6.29 - 4 - 5. The front seat also becomes very hot but this is probably due to the absence of a Spinney ventilator and side ventilators being fitted the wrong way round. 6. Steering. As mentioned earlier this appears to be greatly improved and the thinner wheel is a considerable advantage, but we have just received a note from PN{Mr Northey} in France saying that on the French roads he found the steering very unselective and wandering at high speed - in fact dangerous, and on enquiry from the driver he was informed that the load on the cross steering tube springs had been reduced quite recently, which whilst making a nice sensitive steering for England was almost dangerous in France. These parts have been examined at Chateauroux and the near side tube spring was found to have no load at all. Several of the reports refer to a knock in the steering. Several of the reports also refer to [engine jolt] vibration on the steering as distinct from "kick". This is perhaps more noticeable on the overrun than at other times. 7. We were pleased to find that the objectionable feature of auto-vac petrol feed has been removed enabling the car to be driven very slowly on top gear without jaggering, but in PN{Mr Northey}'s report re France he finds that the vacuum pump was not able to cause sufficient supply of petrol to the auto-vac at high speeds. This is a point which we remember existed on the first experimental cars in the winter but we understood had been overcome. 8. Several of the reports refer in particular to an unpleasant "cracking" noise coming from the exhaust after switching off gas and continuing for some little time. 9. It is suggested that the engine controls on the off side of the engine and the various pipes look as though they require tidying up before they can be considered up to RR standard, and in particular one report refers to a long wire connection which is inclined to rattle on the timing case. 10. It is suggested that the oil filler of the engine will make filling the engine with oil in cold weather very difficult, i.e. when the oil is thick, and that if possible the filler should be made larger and without the bend which it has at present. | ||