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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).
Reasons for not fitting or recommending Rapson tyres due to issues with weight, price, steering, and stability.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 39\1\  Scan003
Date  16th December 1920
  
X1238

To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/TMW.
c. to CJ.
c. to Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington}
c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer}
c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}
c. to PN.{Mr Northey}
c. to C.
c. to EWT. for R.R. Inc.
c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}
c. to Hr.

Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/TMW4/LG16.12.20.

X.1238. RE RAPSON TYRES.

We understand from EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} that at the Conference held at the Midland Hotel, Derby on the 14th inst. sales requested some points from Experimental Dept. about the above tyres so that they could give Customers reasons for not fitting or recommending them. We therefore beg to give the following information :-

x.200. 1. The Rapson tyre fitted to a Dunlop wheel weighs 102 lbs. compared with 79 lbs. for the Dunlop Magnum.

2. The trade price of a complete Rapson Tyre is approz. £28 compared with approx £15 for the Dunlop Magnum.

3. The steering is made heavier and it is diffi-cult to keep the car straight especially at high speeds when it could be conceivably dangerous in unskilled hands. This is really caused, we think, by the back part of the car moving sideways and steering the car.

4. The effect on the rear is to give an unstable sensation.

5. They are not sufficiently resilient and vibra-tion can be felt throughout the whole car.

It has been suggested, we believe, by taking out the Reflector Plate, these troubles disappear; but doing

Contd.

N.S. 1001: 2M 11.'20 H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} & S. LTD. D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} & S.
  
  


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