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).
Faults and arrangements for the GAU-7 car during its London Trials.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 107\1\ scan0163 | |
| Date | 4th January 1933 | |
| W/S PN{Mr Northey} Wory Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} 87960. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}6/H4.1.33. re. GAU-7.London Trials. Confirming our telephone conversation with you today - we are arranging to despatch this car to Lillie Hall early tomorrow morning. We have dealt with the various points raised per your PN{Mr Northey}1/WT28.12.32. as follows:- (1) GAU-7 pedals, steering, side lever position is standard. The Experimental Dept. say that as far as they know 20-G-4 is the same. The fact that the side levers are too close to the driver has been raised on previous occasions, but the present position has been approved by Sales as being the best compromise to meet body requirements. As regards the pedals and <handwritten>steering</handwritten> stay position, this is a point I understand you will take up with the Coachbuilders. Apart from the foot coming in contact with the scuttle pillar, the heel requires to be lower. It now appears to be raised too high by the mats and various mat fixings. (2) <strikethrough>Periodic fuss and vibrations at about 48 m.p.h. has been cured by attention to the slipper drive.</strikethrough> We are doubtful however, whether this feature is the one to refer to as most unpleaseant and quite impossible for a Trials car, but rather the period groan in the drive which takes place from 45 - 40 m.p.h. on retard. This is a feature about which we have previously had some discussion with the Experimental Dept., and although we made changes of axle, propellor shaft etc. we were not able to effect any cure, or even improvement. The Experimental Dept. are rather keen on investigating this matter and would like to have kept the car for this purpose. This, however, would cause unlimited delay, and as we understand the car is urgently required for Trials purposes, we consider it can be used for this purpose if carefully handled. We also understand you will be making a visit to Derby early next week, and in the <handwritten>meantime</handwritten> CONTD:- | ||