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).
Test report on the effects of improved steering and larger tyres on car 6-B-IV after a 160-mile run.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 83\2\ scan0126 | |
| Date | 8th November 1937 | |
| S/W Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 200a -> C. to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 6-B-IV. Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}1/KW8.11.37. As arranged, I gave this car a run of approximately 160 miles. The chief points under observation were improved steering and larger tyres. The steering I thought was a very acceptable improvement, for in spite of the bigger tyres fitted it was pleasantly light in operation, entirely free from kick even when I deliberately drove the car over rough and uneven surfaces. What was particularly pleasing was the ability to corner at high speed without the car tending to over-steer. As regards the big tyres, it was difficult to appreciate the improvement in riding that we should get from these with the present standard shock absorber control and springs, the reason being that 6-B-IV had some experimental shock absorbers which were obviously harder when the control was set to the soft position than our standard arrangement. This of course neutralised the benefit. By trying a standard Bentley afterwards I thought the ride was as good as 6-B-IV, but I feel convinced that when the big tyres are fitted to the standard chassis we shall immediately derive a noticeable benefit. This point is already partially confirmed by Db{Donald Bastow - Suspensions} who, having used the big tyres on his standard Bentley over the week-end, reported a noticeable improvement in the riding of the car. Whether it is due to the steering design or the larger tyres, or to both, I cannot say but when applying the brakes on a wet road to the extent of locking the wheels 6-B-IV continued in a straight line and did not tail wag. This imparted a feeling of great confidence when driving fast on treacherous roads. Att. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}7/R2.11.37 Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} | ||