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).
Technical memorandum comparing vehicle body stiffness, vibration, and ride comfort between different models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 86\4\ scan0217 | |
| Date | 16th June 1936 guessed | |
| -2- show that 5-B-IV with its relatively weak body is twice as stiff as B-56-BN{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} with its more rigid all steel body. It is important to note that stiffening the weak front end stiffens the whole car against torsional stresses and side shake. We attach also a graph of response curves taken on the Heenan & Froude Vibrator. We show a standard car with steel body and harmonic stabilizer: B-23-AE with the Vanvooren body which was so good when new but is already deteriorating, and 5-B-IV. It must be noted that the high frequency response which shows up the Vanvooren's wing shake does not occur on the road, and the same applies to 5-B-IV. In producing 5-B-IV we did not think it necessary to use a centrally mounted wing and radiator system. Results have justified this but we must not mount headlamps on the wings (as is the case at present) but on the frame. Wings are heavy masses inadequately supported and Very easily respond to vertical movements at the tramping frequency. We are going to try a solid mounted radiator. As regards riding comfort, we think we shall be able to improve this and still keep free from tramp, although the softer shock dampers on this car have a more disagreeable effect on passengers than similar shock dampers on a weak frame. We will almost certainly have to use a better axle control with low rating springs. The solidity of the front end of the car is pleasing to a passenger. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/A.F.Martindale. | ||