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).
Effectiveness of front-wheel braking and comparing performance with Talbot cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 13\1\ 01-page11 | |
| Date | 2nd March 1932 | |
| x7360 RECEIVED PN.{Mr Northey}2/WT2.3.32. S/W. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}..from PN.{Mr Northey} Copy to [REDACTED] Rolls-Royce Brakes. Referring to the attached Bt.{Capt. J. S. Burt - Engineer}1/PH.2.3.32 I do not know whether any of you has had recent experience with the Talbot car referred to, but the statement of comparison as to the relative effectiveness of brakes, Rolls-Royce v Talbot is interesting. I am aware that for racing purposes it has been a habit in many cases for the front brakes to carry the larger part of the braking load, and also that in our own case Mr. R.{Sir Henry Royce} has always been afraid that too much braking on the front wheels might embarrass the steering under slippery conditions, quite apart from any tendency to "tuck in". Has there been any change of views in the light of the last two or three years' experience in this respect ? Are we still justified in limiting the brake on the front wheels to the extent we do ? Have you data to confirm or otherwise the statement made at the end of this attached memo that the braking figures of Rolls-Royce cars are not nearly as good as those of some other cars ? There have been from time to time curves published by various journals of such tests with different cars. PN.{Mr Northey} | ||