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).
Report comparing the ride quality of a 14-EX car with standard versus higher velocity pressure rear shock dampers.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\R\2October1927-November-1927\ 144 | |
| Date | 16th November 1927 | |
| GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}1/LG16.11.27. RE. SPRINGING OF 14-EX CAR. The riding of this car fitted up with a higher velocity pressure factor on the rear shock dampers is at high speeds over rough and good roads very steady. There is no pitching when, and after crossing a hillock or depression in the road, and at no time is the frame on the buffers. The road wheels follow the surface of the road and no jaggering effect of the axle can be felt. At high speed on corners there is no undue swaying of the body. When running at medium speeds (20 m.p.h.) on an approximately good surface the impression is that the damper pressure is slightly too much i.e. the rear passenger feeling a series of slight shocks coming from the uneven surface of the road. With the standard shock dampers the riding of the car at this speed over the same roads is more ideal but upon increasing the speed, we immediately get a pitching effect and on anything but a good surface, one can feel the jaggering effect of the axle. At high speed on a good surface a period of pitching is maintained and when cornering the swaying is more noticeable. It is impossible to go over a depression or hillock without being thrown off the seat and several rebounds following, also one can feel the frame hitting the buffers. Of the two schemes, an all round improvement is obtained by the use of the increased damping. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/G.W.Hancock. | ||