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).
Vehicle handiness, comfort, and significant mechanical failures concerning the front springs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 180\M2\M2.6\ img040 | |
| Date | 22th September 1925 guessed | |
| -2- As regards handiness and comfort, my longest day's run was 297 miles; actual driving time 10 1/2 hours. This was done without any particular fatigue, and it would certainly have been possible to carry on for a considerably further distance, had it been necessary. CLC The upholstery of this particular body, made by Messrs. Windover, is very comfortable. The padding and springing of the seats and cushions are excellent, - being quite firm without being hard, and the padding is in the right place. This might well be studied and copied, as we have recently had many examples of uncomfortable cars which it has been felt were due more to the upholstery than to the springing of the car. DURING THE WHOLE OF THE PERIOD I WAS WITH THE CAR, THERE WERE SEVERAL MECHANICAL FAILURES. (1) FRONT SPRINGS. These failed repeatedly, and under the conditions under which the car was being run in France, the safe life of front springs cannot be considered to be more than 3,000 miles, which is not considered satisfactory. Under the conditions of this test, the car is bumping at frequent intervals, but it is assumed that even at the deflection reached on the severest bump, the spring stresses are reasonable, and it is, therefore, felt that the trouble may be due, at all events partially, to the material of the springs. If this material should prove to be satisfactory, however, it would be necessary, seemingly, to reduce the possible maximum stress by reducing the clearances, and stiffening up the springs, so that an equal amount, or even slightly greater, amount of energy will be absorbed at the maximum deflection under the new conditions. Enquiries at the Paris Garage, showed that practically all 20 h.p. cars in France had their original springs replaced, sooner or later. When they were replaced, slightly stiffer springs were fitted, but it is understood that no alteration was made in the spring clearances, and after this, they had, practically speaking, no trouble whatsoever with springs. These springs are made in France by a Messrs. Lemoine, of the same design as the ones from Derby, and I | ||