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 failures at Chateauroux, including gearbox anchorage, chassis instability, and a burnt-out exhaust manifold.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 14\6\ Scan042 | |
| Date | 1st January 1929 | |
| X7230 To DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn{Mr Robinson}5/LG4.1.29. X7005 We give below a copy of a letter we have received from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} at Chateauroux :- We have tried the solid anchorage on the rear of the gearbox. We cannot appreciate any improvement or otherwise in the torque reaction. Re. the 20 HP. Briggs and Platford are very definite about the uselessness of the test over here with the car in its present condition. The jellying of the front, and the fact that we cannot open full out, is very evident. The rear of the car is affected by the front, and from a point of view of standardising the car from the results of this one, is hopeless. We want quickly some method of staying the front and improved damping. We have wired you today for a new exhaust manifold for the SS.{S. Smith} The new one brought out has almost burnt through and the flange at the bottom has become unbrazed. We have taken the lagging off, but are in trouble from the heat of the pipes burning the ignition wires. We can smell the rubber immediately we do any speed. The aluminium deposit has entirely disappeared, and from this test it would appear to be not a success with a pipe that is lagged, which becomes red-hot as the exhaust manifold does. We should like an exhaust manifold made with thicker gauge tubes to try on our next car over here, also the bottom joint to be cast if possible. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} | ||