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).
Modifications to the Wraith model's ride and suspension to address pitching and harshness issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 9\5\ 05-page245 | |
| Date | 6th April 1939 | |
| 646 To By/SB.{Mr Bull/Mr Bannister} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale} c. Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} c. LA.{L. A. Archer} c. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/OwH. c. De/IV. c. MX.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} REF: Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale}8/MH.{M. Huckerby}6.4.39. WRAITH RIDE. With reference to By/SB.{Mr Bull/Mr Bannister}2/AG.4.4.39, we agree that if you can satisfy a customer by the damper modifications described in your memo, then it is doubtless the best action to take in complaint cases. Even allowing for the variation between individual Wraiths we have not been able to arrive at any better standard setting than that now used. Any increase in front damping that results in a noticeable reduction in pitching produces a considerable increase in "harshness" and side shake. To overcome the complaint of pitching which undoubtedly exists on present Wraiths, we have introduced softer front springs and a front anti-roll bar in 'C' series. This modification reduces pitching but cannot make the ride harder. In the event of your suggested modification ever proving unacceptable we would prefer that an early car were brought up to 'C' series specification, rather than have bastard rear springs fitted, as these latter are bound to cost more and cannot improve the ride generally although they may stop pitching. In certain cases of quiet drivers it would not even be necessary to fit the front anti-roll bar. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale} | ||