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).
Road test report on a car's performance after a 300-mile journey, noting issues with speed, thermostatic control, and pitching.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5a\2\ 02-page368 | |
| Date | 13th January 1931 | |
| NO. copy Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} ✓ x5840. PN.{Mr Northey}1/PH.13.1.31. [STAMP: RECEIVED 14 JAN 1931] 18-G-4 This car arrived from Derby late on Wednesday afternoon, the 7th inst. I then drove it in parts of Wiltshire, Devon and Dorset, returning the car to Derby on Monday, having done about 300 miles over extremely difficult roads, ice-bound and foggy. The car ran well. Its performance generally is up to the standard of the present 20/25 HP although some of the cars have a higher rate of maximum speed. It was very difficult to get this car to do a higher speed than 63 miles per hour on the level. The thermostatic control appears to have much that is desired yet. For instance, the shutters never properly closed under any conditions and the normal temperature was between 60° and 65°, but as the shutters did not close, every time the car went down a hill or remained stationary, there was an irritating loss of heat. The feature of greatest interest from a driving point of view is the absence of "picking up" vibrations and a tendency for the body to boom. Undoubtedly, the special engine mounting has very greatly improved these features. The car held the road well, the rear brakes had to be taken up, after which they were good and effective. There is altogether too little shock absorber damping at the rear. Passengers' heads hit the hard roof on more than one occasion, owing to the severe throwing up of the car which should not have taken place. There is considerable "pitching" with the car, which is probably its most unpleasant feature. I do not know to what extent the view is justified that the hypoid axle on this car is at certain speeds considerably noisier than we need expect with other axles of the type. PN.{Mr Northey} PH | ||