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 on a Wraith car, detailing its performance and identifying several objectionable features.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 6\6\ 06-page196 | |
| Date | 1st April 1937 | |
| from Mr. Wraith Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry{Shadwell Grylls} [strikethrough] STD 600. MX{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer}9/721.4.37 Within Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/55D 12-8-31 - End.Wraith. I was very favourably impressed with this car which I tried during the weekend, this being my first run on a Wraith. The ride, steering, and controllability are a marked improvement over the present 25/30HP. The gearbox and rear axle are remarkably quiet. I was unable to detect any vibration or period from the transmission (no propeller shaft damper fitted) Tyre silence very good. (latest type Dunlop fitted). The braking is not good enough. There is a certain amount of rumbling noise which is apparent even with car rolling along without engine running. It will of course be desirable to remove or reduce this, but I do not consider this particular car compared unfavourably with numbers of 25/30 Cars. This opinion was confirmed by L.Archer who has considerable experience of new 25/30's on final test. There were three objectionable features - (1) Considerable wind noise from the front of the body, which I was told was principally caused by the sliding roof drain outlets which look forward. (2) Rattle from steering column controls on certain pieces of road. This only occurs occasionally, but is an irritating feature and should be cleared up. (3) Rattle from bonnet side panels. This is another feature which should be cleared up before this car is put into production. I do not suggest that this is peculiar to the Wraith, but it is a point which should receive attention. [Handwritten note, bottom left] STD Please deal with this CR{Mr Cra???ster / Mr Chichester}? [Signature, bottom right] | ||