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).
Road testing the suspension and springs of chassis 11.UF with the owner.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\2\ Scan073 | |
| Date | 1st May 1928 | |
| CHASSIS 11.UF. -2. Hm{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs}/AUG2/MEMG.5.28. comfortable. I suggested to him that it would be instructive if he would kindly let me try the Cadilac, riding with him in the rear seat, but this could not be arranged as the car is at present unlicensed. The chauffeur told me privately that Mr. Hartridge had frequently "cursed" the springing of the Cadilac!! The present springing of 11.UF is now at about the limit of lightness with our standard springs, because the average buffer clearance with 4 up is only just over 3". After lunch, while Mr. & Mrs. Hartridge went to see their motor boat at Hamble, the chauffeur and I completely disconnected the rear hydraulics. I explained to Mr. Hartridge that this was an experiment and that probably the buffers would strike the axle if driven fast on uneven roads. Mr.Hartridge then drove while I sat in the rear seat with the chauffeur. I considered the riding noticeably softer, and so long as he was driving Mr. Hartridge also considered it was softer and smoother, but later, when I drove with Mr. and Mrs. Hartridge in the rear seat, he said that he really could not detect any definite improvement or difference except a slight tendency to roll and sway, but not to an objectionable extent. Later, when Mr. Hartridge and I sat in the back he said he was more and more convinced that he could not detect any real difference with the hydraulics disconnected, although in my opinion the difference was quite marked and the degree of comfort distinctly good, although, on two occasions the buffers touched the axle,(as might be expected). I could not get any definite expression of opinion from Mrs. Hartridge, except that the front rides better than the back. I suggested to owner that we might make up a pair of rear dampers set to about half the standard poundage, and send them for him to try, but he did not think this would be altogether worth while, as he found so little difference with them completely disconnected. Summing up Owner said he: (a) Could not detect any difference between the 20/2100 lb springs and the 17/1800 lb springs. (b) Could not detect any material difference when the hydraulics were disconnected. | ||