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).
Defects of a current brake system and considering the implementation of front wheel brakes.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 30\6\ Scan114 | |
| Date | 11th February 1920 | |
| contd. -4- it is quite bad for running backwards down hill, the system being definitely defective. I do not think it is worth while spending any money on a Hispano for this purpose. Our new Goshawk 11. will be found distinctly superior to the present 40/50 H.P. owing to the different control of the back axle, equivalent to a torque tube of infinite length, and to the fact that we have a greater proportion of weight on the back wheel. Moreover, the back axle will be proportionately lighter. It is for this reason that one may consider that the safest move would be to use the same system in the new 40/50. X.4214 Owing to the short torque tube used on the Hispano the back brakes would be definitely defective and demand the use of front brakes. A specification of the new "Vulture" will be sent to you for approval, in which case I should be glad to know the voting for the and against front wheel brakes. It will be remembered that they must of necessity be complicated and costly, and require more careful attention than those on the back wheels. You will see therefore that I have perfectly open mind rather in favour of a small amount of front wheel braking I do not fear so much the capsizing of the car as in case of skidding the front wheels the power of the driver to steer the car becomes nil, and the car goes on in a somewhat straight line in whatever direction it happened to be going, unless the back wheels also lock, when it may swing about hopelessly in any direction. You will see that we are fully aware of our defects of the present brake system and we believe we contd:- (upside down text at bottom) H.R. 1064. T.S.H. 156 S. 11.2.20 C.P. 2850 | ||