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).
Letter from Rolls-Royce of America to Derby discussing riding quality, weight distribution, and spring oiling.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 16\7\ Scan181 | |
| Date | 31th May 1929 | |
| X7410 ROLLS-ROYCE OF AMERICA, INC. SPRINGFIELD, MASS. OY-11 May 31st, 1929. Mr. Robotham, Rolls Royce Ltd., Derby, England. Dear Mr. Robotham: RIDING QUALITY Many thanks for your note Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}5.LG May 14th. It does not seem possible to do more than acknowledge it at the present time as we have few comments to offer which might be useful. Conditions. Undoubtedly our conditions differ since we have generally unbroken surfaces with "waves" left by the frost and heat, while you have generally level surfaces, but with far worse corners, few cambered corners, and much broken surface. I should not consider the Chrysler a well-sprung car as all the rubber shackle cars have a nasty bouncing tendency due to the vice-jaw stiffening effect of the rubber blocks. Weight Distribution. Unfortunately we stuck to side spare wheels until they became fashionable and now are unable to sell anything else. So that double spares and trunk at rear even on a short body are not considered possible for us. There is a sound argument too-namely that putting the two spares on the most frequently damaged part of the chassis is equivalent to reducing the "usability" of the car by the risk of damage. And adding a rear bumper behind the spare wheels makes a tremendous overhang. Oiling Springs. We are shortly going to try this scheme both on front and cantilever springs of our experimental car, with oil from the Bijur system. Very truly yours, ROLLS ROYCE OF AMERICA, INC. Maurice Olly | ||