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 from Chateauroux, France, detailing engine, vibration, steering and radiator issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 11\3\ 03-page370 | |
| Date | 27th June 1931 | |
| n7941. To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} From G.W.H. Hotel de France; Chateauroux, France. 27.6.31. 25_EX. We arrived at Chateauroux on Friday evening. We noticed immediately after replenishing with French petrol that the engine detonated upon accelerating from slow speeds. This is entirely due to the petrol as you are aware that we were perfectly free from these whilst in England. The engine also appeared to be rougher; especially at 60 M.P.H. We obtained a maximum speed of approx. 85 M.P.H. At these speeds the engine is decidedly rough. In the driving seat there was a distinct boom at 58 - 60 M.P.H. This is not at all noticeable in the rear seats. When riding over rough roads, considerable movement of the pedals sideways was noticed, this takes place when the whole front of the car is jellying. The movement of the foot pedal is rather annoying as you can distinctly feel it when resting the feet slightly on the pedals. The movement of the radiator was very small and only occurred in extreme cases as above. The steering as you prophesied is atrocious both from the point of view of non-stability and vigorous shocks from the steering wheel. We are, before doing any further tests, checking over all the various points of the steering, radiator mounting etc. Our maximum water temperature reached during the long sustained runs was 90°, with an air temperature of approx 12° We have had no trouble with the A.C. petrol pump during our journey. The petrol consumption was approx. 11 M.P.G. We have received the Shell '11. We have since writing this memo, taken down the radiator and found that there is not sufficient clearance in the cross-member for it to work sideways. We are correcting this. G.W.H. G.W.Hancock | ||