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 fundamental points for judging car performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 178\1\ img003 | |
| Date | 12th October 1925 | |
| REF. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/LG121025. FUNDAMENTALS OF CAR PERFORMANCE. We frequently have quoted performances of various cars, but owing to incomplete information, the figures are of little value. We therefore submit a list of points which should be considered when judging the performance of a car. The following statements are not made under the erroneous impression that the points in question are not widely understood and appreciated, but rather with a view of ensuring that nothing is over-looked in criticizing the performance of a car. The following items are briefly reviewed:- (1) ACCELERATION. (a) DIRECT DRIVE. Gear ratio - car weight. Engine power and displacement. Tractive resistance. Carburation. (b) INDIRECT GEARS. Value of flywheel, shape of torque curve. (2) TRACTIVE RESISTANCE. Tyres and bearings. Wind resistance. (3) HILL CLIMBING. Connection with acceleration. Significance of torque curve. Car weight - gear ratio. Displacement. (4) HIGH SPEED PERFORMANCE Windage, Projected car area, streamlining, gear ratio. Exhaust systems. ------------------ (contd). | ||