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).
Meeting notes discussing Bentley chassis development, including supercharging, pistons, springs, and axles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 30\2\ Scan370 | |
| Date | 25th May 1934 | |
| Notes of Meeting. Sz26/E25.5.34 - 2 - Chassis - Bentley cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} It appeared evident that this question of supercharging the Bentley was likely to be its next most/important development from a performance point of view. Semi Split Pistons, Aerolite Pistons etc. This was referred to as per Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/KT.12.5.34. Development work is still going on and no decision has yet been arrived at. Bentley Springs Shackled at the Front End. This matter was referred to as mentioned in Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}14/MA.10.5.34. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} said that this had been fitted to the 100 miles an hour car with very satisfactory results. Although theoretically it interfered with the geometry of the steering, no adverse effect was felt in driving the car. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} promised to try the car personally as apparently it helps us over the question of 'tramp' and the possibility of buckling front springs under heavy brake application. Front Axles. } Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} referred to two points in connection Woodhead Springs. } with the Bentley which might do us serious harm, one, front axles, the other, Woodhead springs. Apparently we have had a front axle crack on the 100 miles an hour car and another has bent. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} stressed the fact that the only axle that had cracked was the one with cycle type front wings. Nevertheless it was agreed that, as soon as a supply of the stronger axles is available, i.e. what is known as the intermediate type, it should be made a Depot Instruction Sheet job for the first batch of cars that had the original zx type axle. Re Woodhead springs, these apparently are not up to specification for the Brinnell test. We are waiting for Woodhead's explanation. Therehave been two cases of their buckling, one on a customer's car where investigation showed that the Brinnell test was not OK, and another on an experimental car on which the Brinnell test apparently was OK. | ||