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).
User's review and comparison of a car's performance, detailing handling issues and specific mechanical faults.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 89\1\ scan0266 | |
| Date | 11th April 1939 guessed | |
| - 2 - more important than those enumerated under the list of improvements. I found the springing most uncomfortable when driving fast on a rough road. The back of the car seems to jump up far more than my own and makes a long run much more tiring. The lack of the third gear is most noticeable, and on many occasions I missed it very much. In order to satisfy myself that the car's performance was definitely inferior to my own, I carried out some comparative tests. These were all carried out on the same piece of road and under the same conditions. In this country where road and traffic conditions are so congested extra acceleration is far more valuable than a problematic increased maximum speed. No doubt from a maintenance point of view the geared up top is of considerable assistance, and it is pleasant to have the engine turning over at a slower speed. I should of course have no criticism against this if it were combined with the original four speed gear box, but if I had to choose between a most useful third gear and a geared up top with limited use, I would have the third gear every time. The tests which I carried out are set out on the enclosed sheet. I notice that it is stillnecessary to strike matches to see whether there is any oil in the engine when the car is in the garage, and I do not approve of the modification which you have carried out on the petrol system, namely substituting an irritating green lamp for a very useful reserve control. Individual features of the particular car tried which appears to me to require attention are:- 1. The sliding roof rattles. 2. Both the speedometer and revolution counter are unsteady. 3. The clutch slips. 4. The horns are out of adjustment. To sum up, I do not see what advantage I should gain by purchasing one of the latest models - and in fact, until the springing is modified to bring it more in line with modern developments I do not think it is likely that I shall purchase | ||