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).
Riding comfort and the issue of rolling in cars with independent front wheel suspension.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\3\ img124 | |
| Date | 16th April 1934 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and WGT. from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Ty. Ba. Hdy.{William Hardy} SV. Riding Comfort. We have now tried three different cars fitted with independent front wheel suspension and low rating springing, e.g. the Pontiac, the Chrysler, and Opel. The first and last were fitted with the Dubonnet and the second with the Chrysler version of the knee action system. The impression gained is that the springing of the small cheap car is improved out of all recognition and pitching is practically eliminated. It is true that on a selected stretch of road the car can be made to swing up and down but this it does on an even keel due to the periodicities front and rear being identical. Another feature demonstrated was the ability to run fast over very bad surface. These cars also appeared to have good steerability. There is one point however which arises as a result of these tests and on which opinion is not unanimous and that is the question of rolling. The floating ride obtained by the use of low rating springing appears to bring with it a feeling of instability and this must necessarily be so unless there are counterbalancing features present to offset the loss of control. Actually most of these cars fitted with the independent low rating springing are equipped with a stabilising device coupled to the rear axle but there are limits beyond which this form of control cannot go before it begins to affect the springing. This question of rolling largely arises in connection with the difference between English and American roads, the | ||