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).
Typed letter detailing car performance issues, particularly lack of power and speed, with comparisons to competitors.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 1\4\ B001_X 100a-page106 | |
| Date | 3rd December 1932 | |
| COPY. To Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/En. From G.W.H. Hotel de France, Chateauroux, FRANCE. 3.12.32. 2. PER.II. We thank you very much for your mem Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/En.1/MA.1.12.32 We are pleased to note your remarks re. heat to carburetter, as it confirms what we had thought, but did not care to report as we had no direct evidence, that is since fitting the breather, which is giving more heat to the gas improves the blind spots. We also know very definitely that if the water temperature drops to 60oC, we cannot get speed, the engine simply won't do it. Your power curve is interesting, because although we like the car generally, we are not at all satisfied with the power. It is very easy to get a wrong impression of the car's performance, for instance, a run from here to Paris on a good day, the speedometer goes up to 70 readily, a good average speed is maintained with two people in the car, but to take the car into a hilly district around, Limoges, Montlucon, the speed of the car drops to 40 m.p.h., and you can use your gears for all you are worth, damned hard driving, and you cannot get a vestige more out of it. A very slight incline and down comes the speed to 30, and no more can be got. It gives the impression that there is no reserve of power whatsoever. Whilst talking to Mr.Slater the other day, he mentioned facts that we have long since recognised as being necessary, that is, we must have a reserve of at least 20 m.p.h. of speed. This car with a speed of 70 m.p.h. on the level, is useless, and unless the firm realises this, there will be a lot of dissatisfied owners. There will not be a car of this class that will not do 65-70 m.p.h. To overtake these cars with safety we must be able to do 80 comfortably, not scratch for it. We also must get 70 m.p.h. on third gear. This is most essential. The Bugatti's are bringing out a car to do 120 m.p.h. for this sole reason, not that anyone wants to run at this speed on the road, but to have the reserve for overtaking. They realise that most of the cheap cars of to-date, can with comfort keep up 70 or 80 m.p.h. We sincerely hope that the new cylinder head and improved carburation will excell the power curve shown by the S.U. RE. BRAKES. We do not know how you have got over the sponginess | ||