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).
Letter to 'HS' Derby detailing a conversation with Mr. Dubonnet regarding the modification of a 25 HP chassis to incorporate his suspension system.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154\1\ scan0126 | |
| Date | 14th March 1934 | |
| To: "Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}" Derby. LES See me Sr4/Crn.14.3.34. Re: Dubonnet suspension. Dear "Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}", I duly received your memo. HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}7/MJ. dated the 8th inst., and immediately did my best to get into touch with Mr. Dubonnet, who only arrived back from the Berlin Show on Monday last. I was successful in obtaining an interview with him on Monday afternoon, and had a long conversation during which I explained your points. The outcome of our conversation is as follows :- M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Dubonnet is quite prepared and agreeable to carrying out the work of transforming the front of a 25 HP. chassis over here in France. By this is meant the fitting of spring boxes, new stub axles, modifying steering controls, etc. However, he would not be able to carry out the work of altering the brake drums, brake controls and modifying the front wheels. These are biggish jobs, and Mr. Dubonnet says you would have to do them yourselves in the manner you consider the most satisfactory. I suggested to M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Dubonnet that perhaps for this experiment, you would deem it advisable to cut out the front brakes altogether. He agreed that this would be by far the simplest plan, and the quickest method of arriving at the desired result, which is, after all, to find out what is the difference between the standard springing and his system. Whilst you are carrying out your tests in this direction, you could most certainly scheme out a method for supplying a different type of f.w.b., also a flexible connection to operate these brakes, similar to the Lockheed or Bendix systems. In any case, whichever method you adopt, M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Dubonnet places himself at your entire disposal, including his Drawing Office and Works. It is evident that the first operation will be to send to M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Dubonnet the following drawings :- Complete front axle blue print. Blue print shewing front portion of chassis. Complete weight of car. Weight at front. Weight of one front wheel & brake drum. Should the brake drum be eliminated, it will be necessary to give the weights of the brake drum and wheel independantly, so that according to your decision (brakes or no brakes) they can draw up their scheme. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Dubonnet considers that with these blue prints, within 10 days, or fifteen at the most, it will be possible to draw up their schema. At this moment, he will be pleased to receive the chassis and meet somebody from "W" to discuss with him technical details. However, it is my opinion that it would be advisable to send a representative right away, with the blue prints, to discuss matters with M; Dubonnet now | ||