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).
Road test report on a returned car, listing issues with the engine, clutch, brakes, steering, suspension, and a recurring petrol starvation problem.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65a\2\ scan0092 | |
| Date | 6th November 1928 | |
| S/W. (Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}) Copy to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} CWB. X7770 PN.{Mr Northey}2/WT6.11.28. CWB 12-EX. We have now had an opportunity of running this car - which was returned to you yesterday. We find that :- 1. ENGINE. has a smooth pick-up - is not very powerful and there is a considerable tendency to periodic vibration at from 22/26 m.p.h. and 44/50 m.p.h. 2. CLUTCH - has been inclined to slip once or twice - it has an extremely ineffective clutch-stop when hot and was occasionally rough when picking up. 3. BRAKES. There was decided Servo groan. They appeared to be a bit lighter in operation than usual, probably to an undesirable extent in the hands of the ordinary owner, and also very decided pull-over to the near side. 4. STEERING. The new E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} position, with pedals, which is being dealt with in an independent memo is very nice and comfortable. The clearance between the lower part of the wheel and the seat cushion should be increased by ½". We found the steering very unattractive - it being too woolly and it lacks selectivity. When driving this car on really slippery roads there appeared to be undue difficulty in correcting the tendency to slide sideways. We are aware that the tyre treads are considerably worn. 5. SUSPENSION. This would be quite good were there not a peculiar tendency to pitch, which probably would be considerably reduced by additional damping. Unfortunately the running of this car was made consistently unpleasant by the fact that intermittent petrol starvation kept recurring in spite of the fact that the petrol line had been examined and blown through after the first indication of this. The trouble appeared to be rather peculiar in that the car would run for 20 miles quite happily, and then quite suddenly the carburettor would be starved -1- | ||