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).
Response letter discussing performance issues like spring bumping and steering during a 10,000-mile road test in France.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 181\M10\ img125 | |
| Date | 2nd February 1928 | |
| COPY Expl: Dept: Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd. Derby. Hsl/LG17.2.28. Hotel de France, Chateauroux. Mr. Hancock from us. We have received your report of the 15th. inst. The mileage in France should include the run to Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence and back, i.e. all running since we started from Boulogne will be included as part of the 10,000 miles. As regards the bumping on the springs. We should like to know more about the conditions under which this occurs. You realise that it is quite impossible to spring a car to suit the whole range of conditions; we have got to arrive at the best compromise, therefore if the bumping occurs when the car is driven abnormally fast over very bad roads, we cannot be influenced by that if it is going to affect the riding under normal conditions. We think there are very few people who have bought and paid for a RR. car, or any car, who will crash it over very bad roads. You should warn your drivers that this is not intended to be a racing car - the car is expected to have all the RR. qualities plus a little extra speed when road conditions permit it. As regards the steering. We should like to know how it compares with previous steerings on cars which have been run in France. We also require more particulars as regards the lifting of the bonnet. There has been a change in the programme in the sports car and it is not intended to announce this car until all standard production chassis are being built with the new cyl. head etc. Therefore there is not quite the same urgency as regards completing the 10,000 miles. We therefore want you, even at the expense of reduced mileage, to let us know now we can improve the car for alround conditions. We should like you to let us have your suggestions as regards how the wings can be improved to stop the wind blowing on to the windscreen. Will you please let us have a sketch shewing where the fracture occurred on the hinge supporting the O.S. of the bodywork which holds the rear windscreen. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||