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 initial mileage testing and driving impressions of a car, including details of a meeting regarding modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5a\3\ 03-page013 | |
| Date | 18th August 1932 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} From G.J.N. Hotel de France, Chateauroux, FRANCE. 18/8/32 85840 18.D.IV. We have started the mileage on the car today after a general look round. We have paid special attention to the exhaust system making sure that the sliding joint is perfectly free, this is with a view to trying to detect any trouble with the exhaust manifold. My general impression of the car whilst driving it from Boulogne was as follows. Steering very good for absence of joggles under all conditions of road surface, stability of the steering is very much affected by very heavy winds which we had during our journey. The riding of the car is fair, one definite impression is that it is too top heavy, it is inclined to pitch a fair amount when travelling over uneven surfaces. When running over cobble stones, such as one meets in the villages, I should say that it is the best example we have had. With regard to the pitching we shall have to see whether we can damp it out. The engine is definitely smoother by the continuous running, there is definitely less torque reaction effect. The body was free from booms at all speeds. The acceleration seems easy, this may be misleading re setting used to 25-H.P. Re. my visit to J.S. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} queried the 1/2" packings under the front springs of 18.D.IV. He, emphasized the fact that he had frequently asked for no packing under the springs. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} took up the matter of the side spare wheel arrangement. W. remarked that they had never had a chance of seeing or trying the car, with their modifications fitted, until the car was going out to France, and he suggested that it return to Derby after being demolished by E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} and H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} in regard to the failure of his scheme. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} was surprised that we had not got any modifications on the engine such as hardened crankshaft, balance weights, bigger bearings etc. His impression when trying the car was it was rough and unsuitable for low rated springs. His remarks were that his type of car was suitable for low rated springs, but 18.D.IV-type of car was not suitable for low rated springs, the body being too high. | ||