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 road performance of American cars, comparing various 1933 and 1934 models including Vee and Line eight engines.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\1\ img363 | |
Date | 19th February 1934 | |
COPY OF REPORT RECEIVED FROM Ra. IN U.S.A. (UNDATED). To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From Ra/RHa. H/R/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/KW.19.2.34. c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to K.{Mr Kilner} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to DM.{D. Munro} c. to Hdy.{William Hardy} c. to EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} ROAD PERFORMANCE AMERICAN CARS. I received your cable and you will have had my reply. I purposely avoided mentioning 12 cyls. as I have not yet tried all that are available and so have not a truly representative impression. I have so far tried - 1934 Packard 12 1934 Pontiac 8 1934 Cadillac V.8 a.{Mr Adams} 1934 Lincoln 12's. 1934 Buick 8 1934 Plymouth 6 1933 Buick 8 I shall, if opportunity prevails, get a run on an Airflow Chrysler next week. No one at Cadillacs has been able to try one yet, as the first production one was only completed yesterday. Also, I shall drive Cadillac 12's and 16's. COMPARISON OF VEE AND LINE EIGHTS. S.A.THOMAS. I was fortunately able to drive a Cadillac Vee8 120 miles yesterday and did about 30 on a Buick earlier in the week. Judging by these two cars the line 8 has it every time. It is smoother and more silent, particularly at the higher speeds. The V.{VIENNA} eight had some hasty crankshaft periods that could clearly be detected. The Pontiac had the Buick characteristics. Of course these 8's are the most massive cast-iron structures (the 36 cu.in. Buick engine I believe weighs about 900 lbs.) I am trying to get a run on a Packard 8 which has an aluminium crankcase. Really the Terraplane that Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} tried or any 8 Buick that you can borrow from Gocroft are good average examples of what is being done in smoothness with this type of unit. | ||