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).
Suspension setup for 20-HP cars due to complaints of them being under-sprung in France.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\3\ Scan193 | |
| Date | 1st February 1924 | |
| X4261 c. Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} EP {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} 5/Hl1.2.24. re. 20-HP. Springing. Sales Dept. are complaining that the 20-HP cars in use in France are, broadly speaking, generally under-sprung. It has been pointed out that the cases they have referred to have been cars which have been sprung to our standard springing and not for "abroad", but BJ. now writes:- "The point we now have to consider is whether the standard springs on the 20-HP. cars are likely to be satisfactory in view of the fact the probably a very alrge number of them will be used on the Continent. It seems that any car that we deliver should be safe and suitable to use in France, seeing that so many people visit the Riviera. The above suggestion is quite separate from any extra strength we give for "abroad", as the word "abroad" usually means for use on colonial or rough tracks, and not in civilised countries as France". BJ. asks for our opinion about it, and I shall be glad if you can arrange a meeting to discuss this matter, or if I can have your comments and the comments of Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} so that I can forward same to BJ. Personally, I am of the opinion that we should stand fast and not agree to the strengthening of the present standard springing being increased, as with every stage stronger we go with the springing, so the springing of the car is bad for normal conditions, especially when the car is used for town work and ordinary touring in the British Isles.(Rides like a truck) At the same time, I can quite appreciate that with our standard springs the car will occasionally bump when the driver is tearing about on French roads at continual high speed, in which case we should make it clear to BJ. that the people who wish to use their cars for this purpose should have stronger springs or the springs which we supply for cars abroad. It should be made clear that when supplying a customer with such springs, the springing of the car will not be satisfactory as should be desired for town use and for touring on British roads etc. Cont.d | ||