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).
Cause of the back axle jumping on a car after a journey to Toulon.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 74\1\ scan0152 | |
| Date | 4th November 1913 | |
| COPY. COPY, To J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} X507 R2/P 4.11.13. Yesterday we went to Toulon to see the American Consul and in regard to other business. I rode in the back of the car there and drove home. The roads all the way are very bad after much wet weather being full of potholes etc. A point that struck me was that the back axle jumped off the ground more than usual. This can hardly be accounted for by the change made in the back axle. Three points only can account for the impression:- 1. The poor condition of the road. 2. The removal of the shock absorbers. 3. The extra weight on the axle caused by the fitting of the double rear brakes. With reference to the third point, this can hardly be the case, because no increase has been made in the weight of the back axle, since I have been driving cars for some time here, and this car was previously fitted with double rear brakes. It shows, however, how desirable it is to remove every pound of weight from the back axles. I do not think for a moment that it is anything to do with the method of control or any other features which have been remarked about previously, but entirely a question of the light body and the comparatively heavy axle, and it shows the absurdity of comparing two cars such as Williamson was doing with reference to his Lanchester Landaulet and R.R. open car, which were not at all suitable for comparison. | ||