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).
Letter from Gordon Armstrong Patent Suspension Company detailing test results on offset wheels and steering.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154\1\ scan0293 | |
| Date | 7th October 1936 | |
| x1305 TELEPHONE: BEVERLEY 321 GRAMS: ARMSTRONG'S SUSPENSION. The Gordon Armstrong Patent Suspension COMPANY LIMITED OUR REF GA.WC.6. YOUR REF WALTHAM WORKS, OPPOSITE ST. {Capt. P. R. Strong} MARY'S CHURCH, BEVERLEY E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} YORKS. GORDON ARMSTRONG. A.M.I.A.E., F.Inst.PAT. N.O. TILL. Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., DERBY. 7th October, 1936. GRY {Shadwell Grylls} LES have told him to call Chm For Mr. Robotham's attention. Dear Mr. Robotham, Many thanks for the offset wheels which arrived safely. I have tried these out, and find that they have reduced the harshness on the front of the car considerably. Whilst it is not possible yet to dispense with the bumper, it does not appear to be nearly so essential as it was. The dispensing of the bumper could only be achieved, in my opinion, by a very much stiffer frame. It would appear also that the weight of the castings we are using as housings, do not help in the mitigation of this trouble. No doubt in the event of your designing a model, you would keep these parts as light as possible. The steering, I should say now, is practically perfect. There is no kick on the wheel. The steering is much lighter and cornering at high speeds is not anything like as heavy to hold as it was. Naturally, this has reduced the self-centreing action somewhat, but there is still enough to be perfectly satisfactory. In my opinion, it would be difficult to get the steering better than it is at the moment. You could, of course, gain somewhat by reducing the number of steering joints which we have had to add. cont'd.... | ||