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 first road test of an 'India' model with 4-wheel brakes, detailing brake, steering, and gearbox performance.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\M\2April1925-June1925\ Scan54 | |
| Date | 25th September 1924 | |
| R.R. 493A (50M) (D.B. 175 25-9-24) J.H.D. 1st ROAD TEST ON JO & 4 SPEEDS & FNB EXPERIMENTAL REPORT. Expl. No. REF: Hss/104.B.25. To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to CJ. BJ. c. to Rs.{Sir Henry Royce's Secretary} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} S E C R E T. 'INDIA' WITH 4-WHEEL BRAKES. X5940 X5770 We have run this car this weekend and on the whole the brakes and steering are working perfectly. At first there was a tendency for the servo to hang on and not release with the reduction in pedal pressure but this appears to have righted itself with use. The proportion of braking front and rear appears to be correct, i.e., we always get the rear wheels locking if the brakes are applied hard. The amount of pedal pressure required appears to be correct. There is a tendency for the steering to take charge if the brakes are applied on a right-angle corner. We cannot say that it is any worse than the 40/50 in this respect. We suggest that arrangements are made so that there is a convenient method of checking the lean of pivots. It is impossible to get at the pivots themselves without dismantling the whole front braking gear so we suggest the measurement will have to be taken from a facing on the axle such as the spring pad. The steering is light without undue road shocks being transmitted to the steering wheel. On the whole the brake and steering job promises exceedingly well. As regards the gearbox, the 1st. speed works out. This is a standard 4-speed box such as are now being fitted to production 'India' chassis. It has torsionally contd :- | ||