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).
Initial car testing in France, detailing a stuck exhaust valve and issues with frame weakness and suspension performance on pavé surfaces.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 101\2\ scan0123 | |
| Date | 20th October 1936 | |
| 500J HOTEL DE FRANCE, CHATEAUROUX, Indre. France. GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/HFH{Hoppy F. Hamilton}/3/JAB. 20th October 1936. To. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} C.G.H. Handwritten Note: GRY{Shadwell Grylls} - Please arrange to send loose tie rods out to get suspension tests reasonable Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 22. G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} We arrived here first thing this morning after having had to stop twice en route to ease N°5 cylinder exhaust valve which stuck right open. We are starting on the modifications, i.e. removal of petrol pump from dash and bijur feed to the brake shafts, straight away. We also propose to start by fitting the turbulated head and get the engine in good order before starting our tests. A day or so should see us on the road. It appears to us that the frame on 22.G.V. is far too weak and susceptible to twist and tends to absorb the road shocks rather than let the springs do so. This has the effect of shaking the car from stem to stern and renders the steering column liable to whip, making it rather uncomfortable to hold on bad pavée surfaces. The whole suspension in front seems too hard, and we find that the car gives the best ride at four notches soft on the hand control, but at the same time cornering is maintained stable by the roll-bar recently fitted. This car is not fitted with tie-rods on the frame. Would not the fitting of these materially help the frame to be held rigid and give the springs a chance to do their jobs ? These are just observations that we have made, as Waller seemed a bit concerned about the behaviour of the suspension as a whole. The foregoing remarks would only really effect chassis intended for the Continent, owing to the exceptional condition imposed upon them. We do not propose to issue Daily Reports, but send you reports from time to time as to our progress. ---------------- GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/HFH.{Hoppy F. Hamilton} | ||