Motoring Notes
The Rolls-Royce Car
IT is difficult to abstain from too many superlatives when writing of the Rolls-Royce car. As a matter of fact, the term "Rolls-Royce" has become a synonym in the English language ; standing for all-round superlative worth. The secret of the world-wide reputation of this car lies in its durability, trustworthiness, speed and power, silence and comfort. Any one of these features is worth having, but the Rolls-Royce combines them all. Its makers say that to buy one is an invest- ment and not an extravagance. The reputation of this master- piece of design and craftsmanship makes it always saleable, and its rate of depreciation is exceptionally low. Further than this, it is true to say that "a Rolls-Royce never wears out." It is not the fastest car in the world ; neither is it the most expensive ; it does not vary fundamentally in design from the ordinary high-grade car. But it possesses a peculiar distinction all its own, and it is this which has made it the most famous car in the world.
Having just returned from a delightful trip in a 40-50 li.p. model, I am naturally enthusiastic regarding its speed and power. I have never been in anything quite like it before. Although innumerable severe hills were encountered during the 700 miles in Devon and Somerset it was very seldom that it was necessary to change gear. It was almost a top-gear run ; but for half a dozen hills it would have been actually so. Even such notorious hills as Porlock (general gradient, 1 in 8; steepest gradient, 1 in 4) ; Countisbury (1 in 7 and 1 in 41) ; Beggars Roost (1 in 6 and 1 in 3) and Widdeeombe (1 in 10 and 1 in 5) were surmounted without the least effort, while their descent was rendered perfectly safe owing to the excel- lence of the braking system.
Brakes are fitted to all four wheels, and the scheme of braking which the Rolls-Royce engineers have evolved may be termed a semi-servo system, because the foot pressure is used directly to the back wheels, but on its way there it causes the mechan- ical servo to act and apply the brakes to all four wheels. This scheme gives the maximum direct braking, and by the use of the floating lever equalizer, the correct proportion of braking is applied to the back and front wheels respectively. In this system, when the ear is in motion the back wheel braking is as heretofore, but in addition the servo simul- taneously supplies pressure to the front wheel- brakes and additional pressure to the back brakes. The total braking for a given foot pressure becomes about three times greater than in either two-wheel brake systems or four-wheel brake systems unassisted by servo. The Rolls-Royce system includes two entirely separate brakes on the back wheels. There are there- fore six brakes in all, thereby securing perfect safety under all conditions.
One of the features which struck me most was the smooth- ness of the running. One has the sensation at times of sailing, so smooth and silent is the going. The suspension is wonderful. Rapid and smooth acceleration is another noticeable feature. This is largely due to the excellence of the carburetter. After making exhaustive tests with all the available carburetters, and also designing several with distinct departures from the normal, the Rolls-Royce engineers have come to the conclusion that the Rolls-Royce standard dmible throat automatic expanding carburetter is the best at present known for the purposes of a luxury-car engine. The range of speed and power is from zero power at 150 revolutions to full throttle at 3,000 revolutions and this calls for a very large range of suction. However good other types may be for aero and racing purposes, the carburetter now fitted has proved itself to be pre-eminent for its purpose, combining perfection of function- ing and correct proportions of petrol and air with trustworthi- ness. Owing to the effectively heated throttle and specially arranged induction pipe, the engine is much less dependent than usual for its perfect carburation upon the temperature of the cooling water or the temperature of the air under the bonnet. An additional small high-velocity, rich-mixture carburetter is fitted for starting from cold, and with this arrangement no flooding or choking is required.
UNDER-INFLATED TYRES.
A tyre which is under-inflated, or, in other words, is too soft, wears out much more rapidly than one which is main- tained at the right pressure. Very few motorists, however, appear to understand the reason for this. The very fact that the cover assumes a different shape when it comes in contact with the ground—to say nothing of when it passes over a stone or other obstacle—shows that a bending movement is set up in the fabric of the walls. This movement causes friction between the rubber and the fabric, which, in course of time, weakens the material and causes it to crack.
DRIVING TESTS FOR MOTORISTS.
The crop of accidents during the last few months has again brought to the fore the question of only granting a licence to a driver who has passed a test. There are many who are strongly in favour of this plan, as they think that thereby our roads would be much safer. I quite agree that the present system of issuing licences to drive a car or motor-cycle is useless, and the classic case of a blind man who once secured a licence is continually being quoted. Theoretically, a driving test sounds an excellent idea, but I fail to see what possible test could be devised to show what one would do in an emer- gency. Safety in motoring is really a matter of experience rather than of technical efficiency.
ACROSS AFRICA.
A remarkable journey across the belt of Africa has just been made by Mr. Frank Gray and Mr. John Sawyer in two 7 h.p. Jowett cars. One of the features of the trip was that no advance provision was made for the supply of spares, assistance, or fuel, Mr. Gray relying solely on the car's capacity to carry or haul everything that could not be normally obtained on the way. This meant that each car had to transport every replacement, all petrol, oil, tyres, tubes, food, camping kit and arms for four persons for at least 1,600 miles, i.e., for that stage of the journey after leaving Maidugari to El Obeid, 470 miles west of Khartoum. Such a test has never before
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