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).
On the initial testing of the first Wraith car in France, focusing on performance and engine roughness.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 108\1\ scan0005 | |
| Date | 24th July 1937 | |
| Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/R.24.7.37. WRAITH CAR. The first Wraith car crossed over to France on Wednesday, July 21st. Our main concern was to get a figure of merit for the cooling system and petrol system during the hot weather in France this Summer. The engine unit is, of course, exactly as designed with wet liners. The running will give us a figure of merit for the revised valve gear, and the larger crankshaft bearings. Further investigations have shown that a considerable proportion of the engine roughness previously reported was due to the design of the engine mounting. It is, therefore, possible that we shall not have to make any major structural alterations to the engine unit as fitted to the car running in France. It is too early, however, to pass a considered opinion on this point as yet. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} (58/1) | ||