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).
To Sir Robert Hadfield discussing the implications of fitting larger tyres, skid resistance, and cornering performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 96\1\ scan0070 | |
| Date | 2nd March 1937 | |
| W/S. Ex. from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} 361 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry{Shadwell Grylls}5/R.2.3.37. SIR ROBERT HADFIELD. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} has passed on to me your memo Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}7/KW.25.2.37. With regard to the question of larger tyres, there would seem to be no objection to fitting 7 1/2" section tyres, as were fitted on the Nairobi car. However, we do not think it is true to say that the resistance to skidding is proportional to the width of the road grip. It is possible that a corner could be taken faster with twin rear tyres than with single tyres, but the deficiency of the single tyres would be made up for by a slight increase in tyre pressure. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} | ||