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).
Reply to observations on vehicle performance, discussing improvements to cooling, steering, suspension, and the petrol gauge for tropical conditions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 52\1\ Scan168 | |
| Date | 1st July 1932 | |
| To NRC. {N. R. Chandler} (Bombay) from Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} /Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Hd. {Mr Hayward / Mr Huddy} c. Whr. {Mr Wheeler} X4476. Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} /Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 3/ADG.7.32. Thank you for your NRC {N. R. Chandler} 26/S13.5.32. We would reply to your observations as follows :- COOLING. There is no doubt that the latest type of matrix for the 40/50 is a very considerable improvement over the plain tube which you had fitted to the car you are running. Your conditions are so exceptional that we are doubtful whether you will, even with this matrix, be entirely free from overheating. We have, however, made further research work and if we can get agreement from Sg. {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} we will send you an experimental radiator for your opinion as possibly you are the best person in the Company to advise on the suitability of a tropical radiator. STEERING. We have to agree with your remarks on the Steering. A shimmy shackle has been standardised which undoubtedly does improve matters. The subject is receiving our very serious attention and you may rest assured that we are fully aware of the troubles in this respect. We should be glad to have your opinion on the first car which you get fitted with the shimmy shackle though we are fully aware that this is not the complete solution of the problem. SUSPENSION. There is no question but that the stiffer type springs do spoil the car as a town carriage. On the other hand we think that the very flexible springing which we have recently developed for English conditions makes the car too unstable for your conditions. We agree that most probably the best compromise would be the original standard Phantom II type of suspension with Hartford shock absorbers. This really produces the widest range of satisfactory running that we know of. Possibly Whr. {Mr Wheeler} will take a note of this in case it is possible to arrange it on further exports. PETROL GAUGE. We note your remarks re petrol gauge. You will be relieved to hear that we have now standardised an electric petrol gauge. This will probably have an entirely new set of troubles but will at least be something different from the K.S. gauge. Actually we think it is a better job. Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} /Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||