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).
Report comparing Cadillac vehicle performance, particularly its steering and suspension, against Rolls-Royce models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5a\4\ 04-page215 | |
| Date | 14th January 1936 | |
| -2- (6) The Cadillac steering is altogether too low geared for Continental conditions. Its freedom from road shocks is remarkable, but it engenders a feeling of insecurity when attempting to pass another car at speed. In this respect it is satisfactory to realise that we are not contemplating such a low geared steering on the SpectreCodename for Phantom III. 21-G-IV steering was not as free from road shocks as we expected; on the other hand it was considered better than the standard 20/25 steering. (7) Apart from coachwork noises, the Cadillac was very much more silent mechanically than 21-G-IV. The chassis noise noticed on 21-G-IV seemed mainly similar to that produced by the side shaft or timing gears or ball race noises. Summarising the results, anyone who wishes to form an impression of the Cadillac in France must try 21-G-IV at the same time. The Cadillac front seat ride is very much better than 21-G-IV, the back seat ride is better but not to the same extent. The freedom from coachwork rattles on the Cadillac is even more impressive than its suspension. Judging by the freedom from excessive tyre wear and continued absence of road shocks, there is no justification at present for departing from the Cadillac independent front wheel geometry on the SpectreCodename for Phantom III, or from their type of steering. We think that on the Cadillac one would definitely sacrifice a certain amount of comfort in the front seats for greater controllability, particularly under Continental conditions. On the SpectreCodename for Phantom III we anticipate we shall do better because we have a higher geared steering, and also we do not expect that we shall adopt such flexible front springs as there are on the Cadillac. At the conclusion of the road test we went round a number of the French Coachbuilders, or, claims that French bodies stand up better than English bodies on Continental roads. We of course have no first-hand knowledge of this, having never run a French body through one of our 10,000 miles tests. | ||