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).
The positive effects of a stabiliser in reducing front end movement and the subsequent design of a bumper.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\6\ 06-page253 | |
| Date | 11th October 1934 | |
| -2- This stabiliser produces a very marked reduction in the amount of wing and lamp movement on the standard Bentley. Fitting it alone without single piece wings or the cross member between the lamps on Mr. Fairey's car, we consider that the general front end movement was reduced quite 80% as viewed from the driver's seat. We think that with this damper fitted anyone who complained about the car could be considered unreasonable. In view of these results we have asked R.{Sir Henry Royce} to design a bumper on the lines of the one which has proved so successful, and he is at the same time going into the question of fixing the bumper to the deep frame and endeavouring to arrange if possible that the bumper can be fitted to cars already delivered to customers with the minimum amount of modification. Obviously we do not want to add 50 lbs. to the car if we can achieve the same results for less weight. We are therefore continuing experiments to see whether by stiffening the frame, or by other means, the trouble can be overcome. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rs.{Sir Henry Royce's Secretary} Summarising the results, the stabilising bumper is what we require to give us immediate relief and as far as we know at present this should eliminate complaints. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rs.{Sir Henry Royce's Secretary} | ||