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).
Comparative analysis of a Siddeley car's performance against a Rolls-Royce, covering power, gearing, weight, and handling.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 23\4\ Scan066 | |
| Date | 1st September 1928 | |
| The car certainly had a feeling of power. A demonstration however was made on a certain test hill ( <del>Red Bank</del> <ins>Muchlewe</ins> Hill ) in order to try comparative hill climbing capabilities of this car with the R.R. on the direct drive and in this the Siddeley did not show any advantage over the R.R. in power. The gear of the Siddeley was also lower than the R.R. information I received on this matter was to the effect that the gear ratio of the Siddeley was 18 to 62 that is 3.45 to 1 as compared with 2.95 to 1 in the case of the R.R. <del>935/135</del> <ins>Siddeley</ins> rear wheels in each case. The weight of the Siddeley chassis I was informed was 28cwt and of the car complete 2 tons, compared with total weight of R.R. 33 cwt <ins>(about) no passengers</ins>. The gears of the Siddeley are certainly V.{VIENNA} Fair but not so good as R.R. standard. Side shaft rather harsh when engine doing any speed. Back axle ( bevel gears ) I should say was <ins>generally</ins> good, although distinctly heard all the time the car was running the noise did not materially increase when under full power. The driver explained that the axle was a poor one. Metal clutch was fitted <ins>which</ins> had the usual metal clutch troubles of grabbing when finally engaging. The steering wheel was very large and Mr Doran who drove the car said that the steering was <ins>decidedly</ins> stiff in comparison with the R.R. steering. The engine overhung the front axle and I should say placed considerable <ins>amount</ins> of weight on the front wheels, also this did not add to the appearance of the car. | ||