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).
Improvements to the engine and chassis, focusing on weight reduction and vibration issues.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65a\1\ scan0106 | |
Date | 20th September 1927 guessed | |
contd :- --2-- shall put up the torsional vibration period, which we are too near, and I believe is the cause of the roughness. We shall strengthen the crankchamber against the forces which we are reducing, by reducing the weight of the unbalanced parts. The reason we run into this is that we want to use the lowest gear possible for the speed, so that - Aero engine experience, ) will be improving our sports car experience, ) standard chassis engine. CHASSIS. Considering that we shall have reduced the weight of the bodywork, and the engine, we ought to reduce the weight of the chassis wherever it will not depart from interchangeability with standard, or weaken the parts. The first point is shorter and less protruding road wheel hubs, which naturally will be lighter. This has already been done on the continent. The second point is, many parts of the back axle, including the heavy rear brake drum, are not needed now we have 6 brakes. Unsprung weight is of the utmost importance for holding the road: also we want to be nearly as light (sprung weight) on the front wheels as the Hispano. We have lowered the chassis because using stiffer springs calls for less bump clearance, so we have come down to 1" I am sure you will be pleased with the improved results. Since we know that it is needed, and how to do it, we must do it, or not profit : contd :- | ||