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 unsatisfactory and dangerous condition of Dunlop wire wheels with Goodyear rims following an inspection.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 159\1\ scan0062 | |
| Date | 4th January 1921 | |
| X3725 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} JAN 4 1921 RECEIVED A.T. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}/Thn14/F4.1.21 RE. DUNLOP WIRE WHEELS WITH GOODYEAR RIMS AND REMOVABLE FLANGE FOR STRAIGHT SIDED TYRE - 108-AE. - DEAN. With reference to the above and your Hml1/L.H.22.12.20 (copies attached for By, Wd{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} and Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}) we yesterday received, as requested in our memo. to you EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}/HBS/024.12.20, the 6 wheels in question removed from the above car. We have inspected these wheels in conjunction with Mr. Clough (in By's absence) and Mr. Harwick (for Experimental Dept.) and it is agreed that the condition of the rims of the wheels appears very unsatisfactory. On the rim which failed, the flange which carries the detachable flange had entirely broken away, and the condition of the material at the breakage is very poor and is full of inherent cracks, which are distinctly shown by the enamel having penetrated into the sections. An examination of the other wheels would from an external inspection also reveal them to be in a similar condition, and they may therefore give similar trouble when in service. We therefore view this breakage with alarm and feel that a recurrence may take place with the rims in their present condition. We suggest that the matter should be immediately taken up with the Dunlop Co. and that no further rims of this description should be supplied on customers' cars until we are satisfied that a recurrence of this trouble will not take place. Will Wd{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} please arrange to return these wheels to the Dunlop Rim and Wheel Co., as they have specially requested that this shall be done. Will Wd{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} please also note that we regret that we had overlooked the memos. from Sales Dept. when he enquired about this job prior to sending his memo. to Sales, ref. Wd{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead}4/WJ1.1.21. These papers had been placed in Diary pending the arrival of the wheels for examination. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}/Thn. [Handwritten note on left margin]: Pl. state if that Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} did incl. this matter in his report to Cert. & Sales in answer to the memo. for Hml/LH.{Mr Haworth}22.12.20 | ||