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).
The disappointing ride quality, slipper drive, and engine vibration of a GAK-52 Barkerlite Limousine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5\6\ 06-page030 | |
| Date | 12th December 1927 | |
| X5300 To FH Capt. Hon. [Crossed out: To Mr. Hives] [Crossed out: Mr. Rowledge] HC. MM. RR. Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}1/T.12.12.27. GAK-52. Barkerlite Limousine. PH1/HNT.12.27. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}, HP. and Hx. have tried this car, and the following is their report; Will you kindly say what you require us to do further. While we all agree that riding in the front of the car is disagreeable and very disappointing as a finished car, and would no doubt be taken exception to as a Demonstration Model, we do not feel that we are in a position to do anything to the chassis to achieve immediate advantage, and particularly the slipper drive, which will affect any improvement. At the time of trying the car we do not feel that there is any evidence that the slipper drive is not functioning properly. With regard to the suggestion by PN{Mr Northey} that Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} with his special knowledge of the circumstances, might be able to apply some modification to the slipper drive which would effect some permanent improvement, the only thing that can be done with this type of slipper drive would be to try a new material which is now being experimented upon, and which Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} would be glad to try out on this car as an experiment. The advantage of this material being that the slipper drive may be more consistent in its action. "H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints}" points out that the engine vibration in general in this type of chassis is having the serious attention of the Exptl Dept., but it is impossible to apply any of the proposed features to the present chassis at this stage. "It has been appreciated for some time that the front seats of a totally enclosed rigid coachbuilt body on a POHP chassis is invariably not a success, hence one of the reasons for our attention to the chassis in this respect. The only possibility of this car being a success in the meantime is for some special attention to be given to the body to prevent it amplifying the vibrations. (Sgd. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Hx. & HP. "PS. The above confirms the attitude I took up with PN.{Mr Northey} and CRB when they brought this car to my attention during my visit to London on Tuesday last the 6th Inst. when I made it quite clear to them that I considered that no useful purpose could be achieved by sending the car at present to the Works. The question of the action of the slipper drive not being constant was now receiving the Exptl Dept's attention, and that if Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} was in a position to supply any improvements, we should advise 'G' accordingly. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}". | ||