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).
High-speed steering and braking issues, including details of car accidents and ongoing tests.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 180\M3\M3.4\ img007 | |
Date | 18th August 1924 | |
R.R. 408A (50H) (D.A. 652 20-3-24) J.M.D. -2- EXPERIMENTAL REPORT. Expl. No. 9410 9941 REF: Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1/LG18.8.24. steering when travelling at a high speed, there was no time to release the brakes before the car was off the road. From the reports we have had of other cars fitted with 4-wheel brakes (such as the Hispano), the accidents which occur are of a similar nature, i.e., the car always finishes well off the road. The car (35-PK) was not fitted with the last reduction in front braking - we expect to have the first set of levers this week. Although the reduction in front braking will reduce the risk, we believe that the risk will always exist on cars which are driven fast when the right road conditions are met. We have another car in France running tests on the 12 1/2% springs which has already completed 5000, so that the 10,000 miles test will be completed on that car. 35-PK car is so badly smashed that it will have to be returned to the Works. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||