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).
Providing a driving impression and comparison of a 1939 Vauxhall De luxe 10/HP Saloon.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 127\4\ scan0197 | |
| Date | 7th May 1940 | |
| 1097 SECRET. To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} c. to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GB. (crossed out) c. to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FD.{Frank Dodd - Bodies} (crossed out) Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}4/JH.7.5.40. re Vauxhall "10" 7/H (handwritten) Many thanks for the permission to form an impression of the 1939 Vauxhall De luxe 10/H.P. Saloon. I would prefer Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}'s. Rover, even though it does weigh several hundred weights more. Apart from the poor power weight ratio, the Rover is nearer our pattern and standard for Myth than the Vauxhall. On Monday, Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GB. Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/JD.{J. Draper - Frames} and Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/DB.{Donald Bastow - Suspensions} tried the car and subsequently compared impressions. The car was also tried by Jnr.{Charles L. Jenner} Below I give a few notes on the subject. Steering. As delivered the car oversteered and lacked directional stability. There was too much sponge on small steering locks. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GB. very much improved this by increasing the rear tyre pressure. He says that the steering is very sensitive to the ratio of front to rear tyre pressure and a definite relationship is stipulated. I still did not like the sponge which Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/DB.{Donald Bastow - Suspensions} attributes to the Dubonnet Suspension. Suspension and Ride. The car has a low roll stiffness for small movements, which makes the ride unpleasant especially in the rear. At the higher speeds (50 - 65 m.p.h.) the car pitches on bad roads. The O.S. front damper whistles in the valve. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GB. says the O.S. front torsion bar is set too high, this effects the steering. In spite of the low rating suspension, thumps can be felt from the road giving a "knobbly" feeling to a | ||