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).
Misunderstanding over spring ratings and the resulting poor stability and road control on car GOS-39.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\3\ Scan109 | |
| Date | 26th June 1931 | |
| 84/117 RECEIVED R.P.3/W2/26.6.31. S/W. {Sales / Derby Works} For...from P.N. Copy to Sg. {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Cx. {Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} -> Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Hp. Hx. GOS-39. Verrall. I have received KP/Mx {John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} 10/T.23.6.31 and now have had a chance of gathering further information relating to the origin of the change of springs to this car, and undoubtedly as I anticipated there has been a definite misunderstanding in London arising out of the three different ratings of springs which have been proposed. Fortunately there has been no harm done other than a small cost in connection with the changing of the springs. On the other hand, this case will undoubtedly operate to enable a more complete understanding to be realised by those officials who are dealing with the different ratings of springs in the future. There is one point which stands out of some importance, requiring further elucidation, that is, why when low-rating springs were fitted to GOS-39 and in addition a set of shock-absorbers sent by Derby intended to be the standard type instructed for this type of spring, the result in my opinion and that of JLE. {J. Lee Evans - Chassis Test Manager} was to produce a car having a most unsatisfactory degree of stability and road control. This condition is the more difficult to understand having regard to the fact that similar low-rated springs (I understand) with shock-absorbers adjusted to Rn {Mr Robinson} 's instructions i.e. .055 hole drilled-in valves when fitted to London Trials GLR-39, have provided, in my opinion, a very practical and reasonably stable car for average conditions. This point wants explaining as soon as possible, for until we can get it straightened out, it is impossible to know to what extent we are justified in making use of this rating of springs etc. P.N. | ||