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Explaining the decision to standardise 5¼' tyres on the 20 HP model.


Identifier  ExFiles\Box 53\2\  Scan297
Date  27th November 1926
  
4565
To BJ. from Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}
c. to PN. {Mr Northey}
c. to Sg. {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}

Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 3/LG27.11.26.

20 HP. TYRES.

45820

The chief reason why 5¼" section tyres have been standardised for the 20 HP. is because we did not wish to make too big a jump at one time. Also the advantages of a 6" tyre over a 5¼" tyre are very small, in fact for standard we consider the 5¼" preferable.

In order to obtain any increased comfort from the larger section tyres, they must be run at a lower pressure. At present with the 5¼" section we run at 35 lbs. - the 6" tyres would have to be run at 30 lbs. With the 30 lbs. pressure on a 6" tyre, the steering would be heavier and there would be more tendency for the car to roll.

The steering lock would also be reduced a small amount with 6" tyres.

We had in mind at the time we adopted the 5¼" tyres that the 6" fits the same wheel so that if at any time we wished we could easily go to the larger section tyres.

Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}
  
  
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).


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