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).
Proposal to change the material for front road springs from Chrome Vanadium to Silico Manganese steel to improve reliability and reduce cost.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 67a\2\ scan0180 | |
| Date | 3rd October 1927 | |
| RR 755 REVISED (10H) (DE 649 9-12-26) BM. 2/1187. 78410 STANDARDISATION of CHASSIS PARTS. Date 3.10.27 Description of Parts. MATERIAL FOR FRONT ROAD SPRINGS. Origin. To improve reliability and reduce cost. Experimental Test Report. It is proposed to use Silico Manganese steel in place of Chrome Vanadium. All road springs on pre-war cars were made in this material. U.S.A. springs are also made in this steel. Road Test Report. Comparative tests on the bumping test shew that springs made in this material give a longer average life than the present ones. X No. 8410 5410 3900 Drawing No. Part List A Scrap and replace at all costs, including Chassis already delivered to Customers. B Scrap and replace on Chassis in Works. C Scrap present stock and replace on all Chassis not yet handed to test. D Use existing stock Alteration effective on future Chassis. Cost of Parts in Works which will be scrapped if commenced on :- Series.........£...... Series.........£...... Series.........£...... Weight of Old Part. Cost of Old Part. £ Weight of New Part. Cost of New Part. £ Difference per Car. Difference per Car. £ Signature from Cost Dept. that above is correct. INITIAL | DATE | REMARKS BJ. | | Completed Sheets sent on & Sheet not returned from B.S. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/ks R.{Sir Henry Royce} | 4/10/27 | Agreed F.H.R. Perhaps the longer life of the American springs are due to the use of thinner plates rather than other chrome vanadium materials. Cannot confirm this easily. WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} | 4.10.27 | Agreed. WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} URGENT. RG.{Mr Rowledge} | 7.10.27 | Agreed. RG.{Mr Rowledge} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} | 8.10.27 | Agreed. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} | 4.10.27 | Agreed. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | 4.10.27 | Agreed. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | 8/10/27 | Agreed E PN.{Mr Northey} | | CWB. | 10.10.27 | Agreed. CWB. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | 3.10.27 | Agreed. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [WATERMARK: PHANTOM CHASSIS 20. H.P.] | ||