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).
Comparative tests on steering, tyres, and suspension for an Open Touring Car and an Open White Riviera Car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\5\ scan0017 | |
| Date | 4th June 1926 | |
| BJ3/DN4.6.26. TO HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Re. c. to Wore. O.{Mr Oldham} Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} FROM BJ. Comparative tests with PN{Mr Northey}, CWB,Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} & Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 10.EX. - Open Touring Car. It was intended to test the effect of fitting the .940 steering to Phantoms already delivered with standard high pressure tyres. This car was also fitted with more flexible side steering springs than the past standard(1500 lbs) and with steering column support. It was not fitted with Hydraulic shock-absorbers. In this state, the car was highly satisfactory(but not absolutely 100% on certain points, on which it was thought further improvements might be made in future). Later, when this car was fitted with well base rims and medium pressure tyres, the steering wheel shocks were increased, but the riding was slightly more comfortable. Generally speaking, it was considered that an owner-driver who had a open Touring car, for instance, would be better pleased with the present standard high pressure tyres with rather less comfort in the riding of the car; whereas the customer who does not drive himself probably would prefer the medium pressure well base tyres, although the driver might be somewhat more inconvenienced by the increased steering-wheel shocks. 7-LC - Open White Riviera Car. This car, which was also tested, was fitted with Hydraulic shock-absorbers in front, well base medium pressure tyres, .72 steering (which is the standard for the future) no steering-column tube support, but the old standard steering-tube springs(3500 lbs). This car proved altogether worse than 10.EX. It is not considered that the test of this car is conclusive, as it was the general opinion that quite probably its failure was in some way due to the actual car with regard to its balance construction etc. One serious front wheel wobble was obtained whilst PN{Mr Northey} was driving, but this could not be repeated in further attempts but only minor wobbles could be obtained. contd. | ||