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 drive of a 12-cylinder car, high-speed vibration from the propshaft on the Ph lll model, and potential solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\3\ scan0163 | |
| Date | 4th February 1936 | |
| - 2 - Srl/Crn.4.II.36. I understand that EWP{Mr Punt} will be bringing us over some new diaphragms, to overcome the trouble. When am I going to receive my alum brake drums ? Faroux has just returned the 12 cylinder to us, after a run of 800 kilometres. He is very enthusiastic, and is writing me a report on the car, which I shall forward to you. I feel that a cheery report now and again helps to "keep the wheels going round" !! Incidentally, the worst feature on the Ph lll at the present time is a high speed vibration, which seems to come from the prop shaft, starting to get very bad at about 75 m.p.h., and getting worse up to 85/90 m.p.h. Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} is sending us out another balanced prop. The one we have at the present moment seems to whirl. Faroux says that he does not think that you will be ever very successful with this prop shaft, and wonders why you do not make it in two parts, as he says that this trouble is well known to motor manufacturers. I presume he is thinking of H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Suizas, for, as you know, they have got theirs in two parts. Thank you once again for all the useful and interesting information you pass on to us. Srl h P.S. This memo. seems to be a bit of a mixture, but I hope you will understand it. | ||