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 performance and condition of a Delage Car, model X.3500, after an engine overhaul.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 21\4\ Scan064 | |
| Date | 24th April 1919 | |
| To CJ. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to EN. c. to EH. c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} RE "DELAGE" CAR. X.3500 We have finished with this, and it was handed in at Conduit Street on Tuesday the 22nd. instant to be sold. It is now in a far better condition than when received by R.R. important parts such as the engine, being entirely over-hauled. This, you will remember, we got to ascertain the value of a 15.9 engine R.A.C. rating, which we thought was insufficiently powerful for a four-seater car. The chassis and body that this carried are, we think, as large and quite as heavy as anything we anticipate putting on the 20 H.P. On my trial (although the Works reported that the car was sluggish and appeared to be under-engined) I got the impression on driving it that it was quite passably fast, but it had not a covered body, and the roads were hard, so that it is possible we were right in adopting an engine not less than the 20 H.P. The engine of this car has been made to look particularly free from features. It appears crude; perhaps it has no elegance in design or workmanship. The engine, although we fitted with a double carburetter, does not run at a very high speed, power falling off very early and very rapidly. Its maximum horse power then is very low when the capacity is considered. Owing to the light axle, and long wheel base, and other favourable features, the car runs well on the road. The contd. | ||