This video is bizare. So the brakes in a 1955 car work properly above about 4 miles per hour. Well, I had a 1952 Holden, about the cheapest 6-cylinder car there was. Its simple hydraulic brakes let me easily lock all 4 wheels at speeds down to zero.
I disagree that it was cash driven (cheap if you wish) . It's very sensible to do this (today's ergonomic studies would not be allowing this of course) By making a 'common' dash layout on low volume cars such as this means less waste by cutting blanks out to a universal pattern, (leaving the veneer for later on for all manner of reasons). You swapped items left to right when needed. We could do with a return to these ideas today and cut production costs. Main centre driver focused section perhaps able to be repositioned to suit, even personalised. Maybe it's been done already, does anyone know please?
Exilent video intresting to se it in funktion Thanks for confirming the servo funktion downhill without engine I thought it would be so Compare that with vacuum servo cars or worse Silver Shadow2 or Silver Spirit Silver Cloud is a 80.000 parts brilliant puzzle quite hard to restore up to R-R standard Flying spares might help
A beautiful car, incredible to see such a wonderfully maintained under bonnet appearance by which others should be judged , and the multiple duplication of chassis numbers .We have a 1928 P1 in the family nearly 60 years and the coachwork body number seems to turn up stamped or painted everywhere where not noticed before in all that time !.
Sorry Duncan , I should have twigged as I'd subscribed to your channel and knew the name was familiar !.Yes, you have a truly exeptional car and such a rarity in this condition - hope to see more !.
When pointing to the chassis number plate on the firewall you comment the chassis number was also "interestingly" stamped into a plate on the chassis. I suspect the real body and chassis numbers are the ones stamped into the metal. The identification plates were added much later on down the assembly line.
Yes you're correct and I could have worded it better. I used the word interestingly as not everyone might be aware of the location of the semi hidden stamped chassis number as well as the plate which as you say would come later. I really must do better.
I drove a right hand steering one in Michigan back in the '70's. That brake system would build up ice on it. Hit the brake pedal and the car would say 'Just a moment please. I need to melt the ice off of shoes and drum' Made for some fun winter driving. I'm an old man now and have had many dozens of cars. That was the best.
That does not happening with cars in Sweden explain that I admit that every time I shift travel direction there is no brakes for letts say 0,3 m first time you uses the brakes It makes no precision tight arias It is like Your description just a moment please !
Thanks, an excellent explanation and video. Clever as it undoubtedly is, it looks like a nightmare to set up mechanically, and then keep in adjustment? That Cloud looks a superb example. I have always hankered after a Chinese headlamp Continental coupe. Is it true they are real rot boxes though?
@@chriswilson7493 Thank you so much for your kind comments. . No setting up is necessary really as long as nobody has altered the rod lengths. There is an adjuster on the output shaft ( 2 locknuts spinning) but that is very straightforward. Like all cars of that era they are prone to serious body corrosion and yes many have been or are rotten by now. This car has been dry stored and oiled underneath and inside all box sections through its life and is a "stand alone" survivor. Please see my "rear wheel arch case study" video.
I had heard about these before. Amazing when you consider the era. From what I gather the system even from the 1930s had the capability to preserve the steering by reducing the braking force accordingly. You would think it would cause horrific stress on the gearbox but obviously it does not.
hate if somebody revs up an engine like that, when the car is standing sitll. No need to whatsoever, plus even with the engine wormed up, you don't get the needed cooling in the end.
That's fantastic. We will soon be approaching the "mothballing" time of year. The chrome will need oiling and so forth. Could be a nice job for you? Thanks for your great and kind comment and glad you like this beautiful design.
Lovely Video 📹 Opening the Door @04:11. I can Smell the sent of Rich Leather Allways A Comfortable Invitation 🤗 To A Beautiful Motorcar ✨️🚗 Thankyou GodBless
Oh my Lord, that was ever so frightfully English & Julie’s smooth commentary was simply sublime! . . . So Winston, now that the brakes have been checked on the Rolls, shall we adjourn to The Dorchester for a spot of High Tea??
What a pleasure it is to see this video and listen to its accurate and well-articulated narration. Contrary to uninformed belief, the servo-assisted drum braking system of Rolls-Royce cars is superb, beautifully made, and highly efficient and effective. Ditto the use of correct Dunlop Fort 8.20-15 cross ply tyres (the Bentley Continental and Cloud III Mulliner Park Ward sports saloon and Koren-designed 2-door cars use 8.00-15). The suspension for these cars was not designed for radials, and often the fitting of them masks issues such as lever-arm dampers and kingpins requiring rebuilding. When properly set up, driving a Silver Cloud is an absolute joy.
How nice to read such a well informed comment which is totally accurate in every respect and obviously from a Rolls Royce aficionado. So true regarding radials masking worn joints. I always wondered why Rolls Royce fitted slightly narrower tyres to the Continentals . Perhaps for less un sprung weight, I don't know. Thank you for your encouraging comment which is much appreciated.
Your comments are appreciated. Unfortunately my business model will not run to a stately home. Perhaps I could charge my customers a bit more. Many thanks.
I often watch videos on the silver clouds purely just to reminisce my father bought one in the very early 1960s from Barclay Brothers. It was a used one in a two tone brown. I have some wonderful photographs of it. I often wonder what happened to it because the registration plate isn’t found on any website I’ve used to search for it.
I know what you mean. An itch that cannot be scratched. Jack Barclay Ltd , a very old established name and still going. The colour sounds like Sand over Sable. The car you speak of may subsequently have had a private number plate fitted therefore losing the original. I'm sure you've tried the gov "vehicle check" site. A long shot but if you knew the chassis number ( from an old logbook copy) you could type that into a search engine and something may pop up. Good luck.
@duncan-ellison thank you for that very informative reply I had no idea that that company Jack Barker was still trading , how wonderful after all these years. I do still have the old Green logbook and paperwork from my fathers files as I still let our family home but it’s been a very long time since I’ve seen them. I wouldn’t even know where to start looking for them now but thank you very much for your reply.
We have a 1928 Phantom 1 limousine in the family 59 years.When I was a young lad of 19 over 50+ years ago , took it for a MOT test , the garage not understanding that it was impossible to use the newly introduced ' rolling road ' so with the front wheels on the rollers without the rear wheels turning , there was little to no braking power.Neither did I understand why the brake pedal felt ' wooden ' but they agreed to use a Tapley brake efficiency meter as I knew that on the drive down there , they felt fine.The unsuspecting tester sat sideways on the bench seat in the chauffuer's compartment beside me and told me he would hold his hand up when I was to try the brakes full on .The brakes were - and still are - unbelieveably powerful , he ended up sprawled against the ' V ' shaped windscreen where he hit his head .You can imagine the language !.If in good fettle , the mechanical servo motor is an incredible piece of engineering.on all pre Shadow cars .
Wow, a Phantom 1 in the family for 59 years, that is wonderful. What a fantastic machine! I love the story about the MOT tester being thrown forward. I doubt he would ever forget that Rolls Royce. Thank you so much for sharing your interesting memories.
@@duncan-ellison Thanks, I've never forgotten that occasion , and it taught me how the brilliant braking system works on a Rolls.In fairness to the garage , they didn't want to fail the car but agreed to allow an olf fashioned road braking test .I knew before he put his hand up, the brake pedal felt ' normal ' again and thought ' I'd teach him a lesson ' - and pushed as hard as I could and ' wham ', actually saw the spirit of ectasy take a dive !.
Many heavy vehicles use "hydroboost" break assist. It is hydraulic assist usung the power steering pump to presurize the system. As with vacuum systems, there is reserve pressure to aid in stopping if the pump ceases to provide pressure.
Impressive performance of the brakes. The limiting factor for stopping distance was, as almost always, the grip of the tyre on the road. A grippier tyre would stop the car in a shorter distance still.
Dunlop Fort 8.20 x15 as recommended by Rolls Royce which provide the original driving experience and appearance. I would imagine that Rolls Royce evaluated textile and steel belted radial tyres at the time and concluded that none could match the inherent extra sidewall strength, high speed rating and cushioning of a 6 ply rating bias ply ( cross ply) tyre. As you may know, Radial tyres are moulded in pieces and steel belted radial tyres are more prone to failure when old where the sidewall meets the tread due to corrosion of the steel belts if standing on a cold surface and only having 1 or 2 sidewall plys. In addition to looking wrong, radial tyres increase the steering effort and forces on the suspension and can alter the gearing and therefore the speedo reading. Also the suspension crashes horribly over potholes and so forth and insulation from the road is diminished. I very much like the originality of the Dunlop Forts. I have owned and driven many R Types and Clouds that came in with radials fitted and yes you are correct the grip is superior but once put back onto Cross plys the the lovely delicate handling balance is restored in my view. I also enjoy the feedback cross plys give such as sensing the odd tram line and white line which is highly entertaining and keeps you alert. Having fitted non stand radial tyres to your Dawn I wonder if it would be wise to alert your insurance company of this modification or perhaps it doesn't matter, I'm not sure . Thanks for watching.
With radial tyres, it must be taken into account that there are changes in spec that must be made. First off, the right tyre will still look very similar to the original bias ply. The key is to increase tire pressure, often to the maximum pressure for the tyre. That will give similar stiffness to the original bias ply. A higher speed rating in the tyre makes for a better built, stronger carcass. Avon Turbosteel are a good option, and were used on later Rolls-Royce cars from the factory. The Michelin Defender H speed rated is another very good choice. At their maximum 44 psi, the ride is very similar to an old bias ply tyre but with significantly more grip, while maintaining the turn in characteristics of the original bias tyres. If being driven on the motorway regularly, the safety margin is paramount.
@@michaeltutty1540 absolutely, the grip is incomparable in the wet in a sudden stop, also the back end is less likely to go when feeling spirited...mind you a Silver Dawn/ R type is a very different beast to the S type!
And you are absolutley wrong.the lady is correct.although abs was not around then the way this system worked was like a form of abs.i suggest you do some research on the older rolls royce days.this ability was available from the mid 1920s due to henry royces objection of having the front wheels locking up and affecting the steering capabilites of the car.a lovely example of a cloud.allways loved this model,i have to make do with my silver spirit tho,not that thats any hardship😊.keithammleter3824
I don't think there is a nicer way to travel than in a Silver Spirit which has unapproached ride quality and refinement. A wonderful stable mate to a Silver Cloud.
Yes you're correct. That' exactly right. Power take off by squeezing on to a rotating friction disc in a similar manner to a clutch. I thought I might do a short video filming the real time operation. Thanks for your comment.
If you look at 1:11 you can see that the left side didn't lock up at the same time the right side, it locked about a meter further along, and it looks like the right side left a little more rubber. I suspect it braked on only three wheels and not all four. This would be dangerous if you had to emergency brake while on a curve. Needs servicing. The explanation of how the brakes work must be wrong, as ABS hadn't been invented when the car was made, so an emergency braking locks all 4 wheels. So if braking is powered from the gearbox the rear wheels cannot be locked. At low speeds this would significantly lengthen stopping distance. Never the less the car stopped within less than 3 car lengths, about 16 meters. Was it in fact going at 25 MPH when he began braking? With the usual vacuum assisted brakes, you have full braking as soon as you take your foot off the accelerator. Even if the engine stops, you still have full braking because of a one-way valve holds the vacuum in the braking system. This simple and cheap system has been proved in millions of cars since the 1960's.
The car is perfect. The brakes are superlative. Tyres with more grip would shorten the distance considerably. Some think it sacrilege, but modern radial tyres have much more grip, allowing the car the extra margin of safety in traffic.
Glad you approve of the Rolls Royce. Comparing this car to others on the market I would suggest that the price should be higher to mirror the condition. Thanks for watching.
Look at that oil pressure coming up . . . . and . . . . look at the fuel gauge going down. . . ha haha ha ha Beautiful. Not keen on black for cars . . . the paint depth is remarkable. It's in better condition than me . . . and we are the same age.
Engine bay appears nice and clean and detailed with silicon brake fluid too ! Nothing worse that a tatty engine bay. I run silicon fluid in my 51 standard bodied MK VI, and it's been great !
Appreciate your sentiments. It's good to hear that you've had good results with Dot 5 silicone brake fluid. May I ask if you have had it installed for some time? I'm interested in hearing any longer term reports on this fluid regarding its corrosion protection properties and anti seize nature.Thanks for watching.
@@duncan-ellison It's been in my car for many years and I've had no problems, there's no seeping out of the master cylinder from failing seals. The best thing about it is that it's not hygroscopic, so if you keep any car in an unheated garage any water vapour that makes its way into the system from the seasons heating and cooling the air, it doesn't really effect the system _ un-like alcohol based systems. My 340 Jaguar is a different story, the end seal inside the remote vacuum servo went very quickly causing an internal leak, I have yet to get in there and repair it. Manufactures don't seem to make their seals compatible with DOT 5, or at least they won't take the responsibility when asked; with one expectation, and that has been Introcar, they came right out and said their seals were compatible with everything. To answer your question, a fluid that does not absorb water, does not pose problems of corrosion and seizing upon a system, it's the seal compatibility that's the problem. I have a new set of seals for the Jag that I've had soaking in DOT5 for well over a year, and they appear to be fine. They have not swollen and turned to mush or have gone rock hard. I believe DOT 5 is still around for use in the military as those vehicles can be stored for long periods of time in unheated facilities.
@@Jeffmartin-dt8pc Apologies for not replying sooner. As I am steam powered I have only just discovered this comment which was under "Held for approval" for some reason. That is very interesting regarding your servo seal. Silicone ingestion into your engine wouldn't be good. Hopefully an alcohol cleaned "dry" system with new seals should be OK. I am under the impression that silicone fluid is an inert substance that cannot attack rubber. Thank you for your feedback.
Phenomenal vehicle, truly mind blowing condition and just oozes class! That's even before one considers the astonishingly long ownership. I love the colour scheme, the two tone sophisticated black and grey and the tasteful green leather against the (burr walnut?) dashboard and door capping with delightful veneer inlays. If it is hasn't been renovated at some point then it truly is astonishing. Nay, even if it has been worked on, it is still a tremendous piece of classic history and certainly far more desirable than many brand new prestige vehicles which have no soul or character, instead they're loaded with afterthought ipads plonked precariously. The fridge magnet sold me! Thank you for the detailed walk around! 👍
That's very nice of you to say so. Yes I think it's a lovely colour scheme too. You have great taste if I may say so. Thank you so much for your very encouraging comments.
One of the last real Rolls Royces. When they could truly claim to be the best cars in the world. "At 100mph the loudest sound is the ticking of the electric clock. "
fabulous, love the green interior. People had taste in those days, not like later models with pale unusauble shades of cream. The equal best colour in my mind is tan ,then dark blue and red. You have wonderful cars!
Thanks great video and great car. In 1960 sure RR were fast relative to mundane B series engined Nuffield grp cars, but a Mark 2 3.8 Jag would have blown the doors off it. I love these cars by the way and occasionally was given a lift in one to school (along with the likes of mk2 jgs, 420g's) trust me the Jags were quicker.
Great comment. Yes of coarse you're right. I love the MK2 Jaguar I think it was the most handsome car ever made bar none, and a cleverer design than the Cloud. As you will know, the MK2 3.8 was the fastest 4 door saloon on the road in its day and dominated the race track until 1963. Not forgetting the Monza Speed bowl record too. I have 4 Mk2's in storage . Please check out my previous sales page to see a few of the MK2's we've owned over the decades. We like the same cars. Thanks for watching.
