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).
Trade-off between tyre noise from Dunlop, rubber spring shackles, and vehicle stability.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 157\1\ scan0249 | |
| Date | 25th November 1935 | |
| W/S - C. X1332 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}36/KW.25.11.35. Dunlop Tyres. Replying to C.8/C.22.11.35. The present position is that, as you point out, the Cadillac is quiet with certain tyres fitted to it whilst the SpectreCodename for Phantom III is noisy with the same tyres. As far as our experience has gone, we believe this to be largely due to the rubber spring shackles fitted to the Cadillac. We are experimenting with such shackles on the Ph.III, but find that they destroy the directional stability of the car. You will recollect that the controllability of the Cadillac was one of the features most strongly criticised. This brings us to a situation which we frequently encounter; i.e. that a good feature on a car is often to be accounted for by some other undesirable feature. We hope to overcome the trouble but it is not going to be easy. In the meantime, Dunlops point out that the silent tyres they have made for us will not last long on the road. We are trying to develop a rubber shackle which will give us silence without loss of control. We will write you when we have further information. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||