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).
The issues encountered during a 10,000-mile test in France, after the first 5,000 miles.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\T\November1928\ Scan105 | |
| Date | 27th December 1928 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to BJ. W.H. c. to E.E. B.M. c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} ORIGINAL Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}4/LG27.12.28. 'SS{S. Smith}' 10,000 MILES TEST IN FRANCE. X7941 We have heard from Mr. Hancock that the car has completed 5000 miles and is now being inspected and adjustments are being made to the clutch and starter motor. The failure of the front shock absorber casing was anticipated by the results on the bumping test. This car was running without the viscosity passages. We have since changed from aluminium to bronze for the material of these cases and we have had no further trouble. They have had trouble in France with the burning of the exhaust pipes. This was anticipated because the pipes had not been treated to prevent oxidization. There was no time to do this before the car went away. They have also had difficulty keeping the battery charged owing to the fact that they are running 12 hrs. per day with the lamps on. It would appear that the only serious fault we have got to overcome is the oscillation on the front of the car. We have sent the necessary parts to France to make the front engine feet solid. We hope they will have an opportunity of testing this after the completion of the 10,000 miles. Hancock in his last report says : Taking the car generally its behaviour over here is truly wonderful compared to our previous Phantom. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||