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).
Car with an adopted braking scheme, covering pedal pressure, servo, safety, steering, and clutch performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 182\M20\M20.1\ img047 | |
| Date | 1st June 1924 | |
| ORIGINAL SECRET. TO HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} R4/M5. 6. 24. Copy to CJ. BJ. RG.{Mr Rowledge} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} PN.{Mr Northey} EF. re. CAR WITH ADOPTED SCHEME OF BRAKING. x9770 x9910 x9940 PEDAL PRESSURE. The car and brakes appear very satisfactory. If at all wrong the pedal pressure required is too light. OIL ON SERVO. Hancock informs me that the effectiveness of the servo is not easily spoilt by oil. Such a test might be carried further. SAFETY & PROPORTIONATE BRAKING. The brakes appear very safe and I definitely prefer skidding the back wheels first, the proportions obtained from your test of 1.5 rear to 1 front, being almost exactly my suggested amounts of 8 & 5, which equals 1.6 to 1. PRODUCTION PARTS. I am extremely pleased with the appearance of the parts around the servo as they seem efficient, light, and inexpensive, all being good pieces to make. A slight increased clearance should be obtained between balance lever bolt + the outer suspension link, + between gearbox bridge nearest boss on servo. herewith. STEERING. Regarding the steering I was pleasantly surprised to find this so light and free from shocks. I should have feared that the control was insufficiently rigid for high speeds, but am assured by Hancock that no disadvantage was experienced. It therefore shews that to avoid road shocks the nearest way is the low rating buffer springs in the longitudinal tube, (the little back lash observed can be avoided.) Hancock says that the trouble with heavy steering is due to difficulty of lubrication of the vertical pivot pins. This car was good after its fairly long run through much water. CLUTCH. The clutch on this car (standard 40/50) was far better than on my car, because the clutch brake did not stop it so quickly. (1) | ||