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).
Summary and recommendation on future engineering developments, focusing on transmissions and independent front wheel suspension.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 178\2\ img136 | |
| Date | 4th April 1934 | |
| -13- HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}5/KW.4.4.34. There is a feeling in many quarters that the side valve engine has reached the limit of its development with regard to compression ratio and volumetric efficiency, and that either two overhead valves, or overhead inlet and side exhaust will have to be adopted. On the other hand the side valve unit is such a cheap production proposition that Cadillacs have used it in their new Lasalle (this is really the Oldsmobile engine). They are realising already, however, that it is not good enough for the car. In transmissions there are no immediate signs that the three speed box will be superseded for general use. A three speed epicyclic with fluid flywheel is under development. Chryslers are fitting a semi-automatic overspeed drive over which it is difficult to become very enthusiastic. Considerable interest is being shewn in the Graham supercharger development, but the tax incentive we have in England which favours it is missing. Generally speaking if the industry thoroughly digests independent springing during the next twelve months, they will have done well. SUMMARY. In view of the fact that we have on our chassis the synchromesh as an example of a G.M. development carried out in a Rolls-Royce manner, which fitment has done nothing but enhance the reputation of the product in the opinion of both the customer and trade in general, we recommend that the Cadillac arrangement of independent front wheel suspension receives very careful consideration before any other is adopted. Besides the complete 16 cylinder Cadillac that will arrive in a month's time, we shall have in a fortnight parts to similar designs that can be fitted to a Rolls-Royce Phantom car, and can be tried out. If we adopt this suspension we shall have behind us three years of Cadillac experimental work and by the time we get into production, many thousands of customers' miles. Additionally, through Olley we can keep in close contact with every future development on this subject. | ||