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).
Progress report on the 'SS' Chassis (21-EX) modifications and testing programme.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\5\ scan0046 | |
| Date | 7th February 1929 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} S E C R E T. X3994 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1/LG7.2.29. 'SS{S. Smith}' CHASSIS. X3994 X7941 Very good progress is being made with 21-EX car and we expect the car will be ready for test, with most of the modifications carried out, in a week or 10 days. Since however we got out the programme for this car we have received instructions from R.{Sir Henry Royce} to deal with certain parts, but we think it would be unwise to delay this car to add the more recent modifications. We expect that when we are satisfied with 21-EX it will release 95% of the car for production. As soon as we have got rid of 21-EX we shall modify another car with the later improved pieces. As regards the 10,000 miles test. We see no reason why we should not now return to the normal procedure which has previously been adopted for 10,000 miles tests. This procedure has always been that we let Sales have the car for two or three days before it leaves for France, then they take it over again after we have completed 9,000 miles in France. The tests in France have a limited value - they are exceedingly useful for experimental investigation tests, but the condition under which the car runs in France is only a small percentage of the running which it usually gets in customers hands. We have often been reminded that the bulk of our business is for cars which are to be used as moderate speed carriages. As PN.{Mr Northey} will not be available to try the car in England, we think it would be an excellent scheme for him to arrange to meet it at Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence. It is not our intention to rush through the 10,000 miles test on 21-EX, at high speeds. The programme for the test is that it will be run two shifts per day - on one shift they will cover mileage at high speeds, on the other shift the car will be run under moderate normal running conditions. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||