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).
Technical letter responding to feedback on the springing and handling of chassis 193.XJ.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\3\ Scan168 | |
| Date | 1st September 1931 | |
| (X411) [STAMPED] RECEIVED Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}/BB7/KH.1.9.31. RE: CHASSIS 193.XJ - A.MUHLENKAMP ESQ.,. Referring to your PN{Mr Northey}20/CP31.8.31, it is interesting to note that your impression of the springing confirms our own opinion formed after running this car under various conditions at Derby, i.e. that it is a good average car for running at high speeds. We tried various adjustments of the Hartford Shock Absorbers and eventually decided that the present setting of 40.Lbs gave the best all round results. We have to agree that pitching does occur quite noticeably on this car over wavy roads, but although a tighter setting of the Hartford's might improve this, it would undoubtedly render the car less comfortable to the occupants of the rear seats. With regard to your remarks in connection with the front springs, we would point out that this car is already fitted with lower rating front springs and nothing further can, therefore be done in regard to fitting more flexible front springs. The fact that no bumping on the front buffers has occurred is probably due to the rather high buffer clearances normal with these springs. The front buffer clearances on this car are 2.1/4", which of course are sufficient to provide immunity from bumping, but this does not render the springs any less flexible. These low rating front springs did undoubtedly make an appreciable improvement in regard to pitching - so much so in fact that for six months afterwards Mr.Muhlenkamp expressed himself as very satisfied with the car. With regard to the suggestion to fit Hartford Shock Absorbers to the front axle, we think that they may quite possibly make a further improvement, but the probability is that when the -cont'd- | ||