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).
Phone message confirmation regarding car suspension spring stiffness and ride comfort.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 72\3\ scan0044 | |
| Date | 7th August 1924 | |
| CONFIRM' OF 'PHONE MESSAGE. (9410 To BJ. FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ. HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} PN.{Mr Northey} X.9410 X.2628 R1/M7.8.24. OFFICE OPENED TODAY. SAW BRIGGS TUESDAY. CONSIDER COMPARISON INFLUENCED BY DIFFERENT BODIES, BOTH WEIGHT AND UPHOLSTERY AND CHASSIS SPRINGS PROBABLY NOT EQUAL TO ONE ANOTHER AS REGARDS PERCENTAGE OF FRICTION AND DEFLECTION+ MESSRS NORTHEY AND HIVES SHOULD WORK ON THIS PROBLEM UNTIL THEY ARE SATISFIED THAT THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE 12% STIFFER FRONT SPRINGING, WHICH BY THE WAY WOULD PERMIT OF SLIGHTLY MORE FLEXIBLE REAR SPRINGS. I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE MOST DIFFICULT TO DETECT IN THE BACK SEATS OF A CLOSED CAR IF EVERYTHING WAS EQUAL, WHICH OF THE SPRINGS WAS ON THE FRONT. I STRONGLY ADVISE NOT DEPARTING FROM THE 12% SPRINGS WHICH ARE NEEDED FOR OTHER REASONS THAN BRAKES. I DO NOT RECOMMEND SENDING OUT TWO DIFFERENT STRENGTHS OF FRONT SPRINGS. HEAVIER BODIES WILL ALWAYS RIDE THE EASIER BECAUSE THE SPRINGS WILL BE MORE NEARLY CORRECT INDEPENDENT OF CHANGING LOAD, ETC, ETC. I UNDERSTAND DERBY CAR IS AS PERFECT AS POSSIBLE FOR OPEN ROAD TOURING, THEREFORE NO USE SENDING CARS HERE UNTIL YOU ARE SATISFIED THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY EQUAL IN STIFFNESS AND FRICTION ALL ROUND EXCEPT 12% STIFFNESS OF FRONT SPRINGS. IN THE MEANTIME GO AHEAD ALTERING A FEW CARS FOR SALES OR SOMEONE, AND SEE IF THEY GIVE SATISFACTION. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||