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).
Complaints about faulty springing and steering on a 25/30 HP Trials car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 107\1\ scan0365 | |
| Date | 15th May 1936 | |
| URGENT Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} C.E. BY Mr Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}14/MH.{M. Huckerby}15.5.36 re 25/30 H.P.Car - COMPLAINTS OF FAULTY SPRINGING & STEERING - i.e. GUL-82 - TRIALS CAR (CONFIRMING OUR TALK AS REQUESTED) The above Trials car was converted from 20/25 to 25/30 HP., tested at the Works by all concerned, and handed over to Sales for Trials use on the 19.4.36 as, in our opinion, a good sample 25/30 type car. We have now received information from Sales that several criticisms of the springing and steering of this car have been received from prospective customers on trial runs, about which they are alarmed and request the matter has urgent attention. We have been in touch with Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} on the matter and requested more information as to the nature of the criticisms, and have now received this information from Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}, also his comments, a copy of which we attach (ref.Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}1/KW14.5.36). We have also arranged with Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} for this car to be tried by LA.{L. A. Archer} (or myself) as soon as it can be conveniently arranged, to confirm that the car is up to standard in this respect, and as first delivered. We can, to some extent, appreciate the nature of these complaints, as the same opinion has been expressed since the advent of this light steering used in conjunction with the low rated springs (report ref.EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}5/MH.{M. Huckerby}21.4.36 - "25/30 HP.Chassis - "L2" Series). We submit that the feature is one which requires Experimental and Design attention, and is a point which should be brought up at your next conference, having in view the fact that the anti-roll arm as fixed on Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}'s car might be pushed to advantage. It might be applied to this Trials car, to see whether the criticisms (which, coming from customers, must be seriously considered) can be overcome. It must also be realised that there is a possibility of this being a general complaint when customers receive cars of this type, the production and delivery of chassis now being in full swing. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} has pointed out that the springing of this car as compared with the previous 20/25 HP.Trials car (which was fitted with the same type and weight of body, etc) has about 50 lbs. weaker front springs fitted of the same type. | ||