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).
Secret memorandum regarding the 10,000-mile trials of 4-wheel brake systems, including plans to send test cars to France.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 73\3\ scan0041 | |
| Date | 19th February 1924 | |
| Y9940 To WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} S E C R E T. HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}5/LG19.2.24. BRAKES - CJA/E16.5.24. Y9940 / Y9941 With reference to the 10,000 miles trails of cars fitted with the adopted scheme of brakes. It is our intention to send three cars to France. Two of these cars will be open-touring cars, and one will be a heavy limousine. We have now had 6 months of testing 4-wheel brakes on cars, and experimental cars have run from 16,000 to 18,000 miles in France. We have learnt something of the possible weaknesses to watch for with the 4-wheel brake system. The programme of tests and conditions of running we have got out for the cars in France, will prove the following points :- 1. Whether the car is safe when braking at high speeds. 2. To what extent the steering is affected when braking. 3. Whether any parts will break. 4. Whether any parts will wear rapidly. 5. Whether the brakes will retain their efficiency. 6. Whether the brakes will remain equalised. From our experience we consider that the chief faults we have to guard against on 4-wheel brake schemes are :- (a) To make sure the car is safe when the brakes are applied vigorously with the contd:- | ||