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 report comparing the cooling system and general performance of a Phantom III model with an Oldsmobile.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 126\1\ scan0027 | |
| Date | 16th August 1937 | |
| -2- P.III. COOLING SYSTEM The car was fitted with the latest MK.6. radiator and fan with the slightly increased driving speed that has been supplied to London customers to prevent over-heating in traffic. The radiator was obstructed by the remains of innumerable insects, butterflies, bees, wasps, etc. Though the thermometer frequently registered 100°C. and over, no steam or water was on any occasion detected issuing from the radiator. OLDSMOBILE VAPOUR LOCK. By driving hard on the level and then stopping for the correct length of time, starvation could be produced for 10 seconds when getting away at 40 M.P.H. It is unlikely that a customer would reproduce these conditions, and even if he did so, the vapour lock could only be considered as a minor irritation. The same results in a slightly accentuated form were obtained on the Croix de Fer pass, but only by driving abnormally. For all reasonable touring the Oldsmobile can be considered free from Vapour Lock. OLDSMOBILE COOLING SYSTEM. Seems to be barely adequate for extreme conditions, With hard driving it boiled and 3 pints of water were lost. OLDSMOBILE GENERAL BEHAVIOUR. Very good. Suspension is a good compromise but obviously if made specifically for Continental conditions would be stiffened up. Steering ratio is also rather too low for Alpine and Cambered road conditions. Fan noise irritating and second speed not sufficiently quiet. By abnormal driving the lining was pulled off the N.S. front brake shoe. Our cars would have withstood such abnormal driving. continued | ||