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 discussing the standardization of wheels, tires, and D.C. rims for various car models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 158\1\ scan0059 | |
| Date | 18th May 1928 | |
| X20 OY1.R.5.18.28 May 18th, 1928. Mr. R.W.H. Bailey Mr. E.W. Hives, Rolls-Royce Ltd., Derby, England. Dear Mr. Bailey: WHEELS AND TIRES Regarding recent correspondence on wheels and tires, I regret that some of your letters were not acknowledged due to my absence from the office. Tires. The tire situation here has now crystallized both as regards standardisation of fewer sizes and standardisation (or at least preliminary "approval") of D.C. rims. See A-12177, list of tire sizes attached. As previously noted the 33 x 6.75 tire of the 40/50 and the 31 x 5.25 tire of the 20 hp. are both discarded. Apparently the 5.50-20 or the 6.00-19 will be the nearest equivalents for the 20 hp., while the 40/50 will have to manage with the 7.00-20. Rims. The D.C. rim situation is made immediate in the two extreme sizes due to the adoption of the 21" D.C. rim with 4-1/2" tire on the Ford, and the forthcoming adoption of the 20" D.C. rim with 6.75 (new 7.00") tire on the Lincoln. Both of these are on Ford's new type wire wheels with few large spokes welded in place under compression. As a matter of general interest, I attach print L.X.9621 of the Lincoln Company showing this rim and indicating the general wheel-construction. The Firestone Company tell us that they regard this compressed-spoke wire wheel as one of the most important recent developments in the industry, practically "establishing" the wire wheel as standard. The tremendous swing to wire wheels in the last two years is generally regarded as making the general adoption of the D.C. rim certain. (Continued) | ||