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).
Bentley in Detroit, detailing issues with vehicle boom, front brakes, and independent suspension, with comparisons to competitor vehicles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\1\ img285 | |
| Date | 12th February 1934 | |
| SG{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} NOR EBy Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} 140Y/H/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 8 I Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}5/MA.12.2.34. I/30/34 H S from R M I have now got the Bentley to Detroit. It has occupied rather too much of my time up to date. For some reason the boom on this car at 2500 - 3000 R.P.M. has become about as bad as the Green car used to be, shall investigate this to see if it is floorboards or mounting. The other bad feature is the front brakes. Considering that we have been fitting these to our cars for seven years, they are not as good as one would expect. More than likely the M.R. material has a bearing on the result because the faults are emphasised after the car has been washed. Apart from thumps one gets that high frequency front axle jagger when applying the brakes with a "flick" in an emergency. This should not be tolerated because, apart from frightening the life out of the driver, it makes him take his foot up again. Reference to the long string of tests we did in the early days when we were forced to flexible drums for lack of a torque arm, should indicate a palliative. As far as I remember chamfering the leading edge of the shoe will help and we don't do it now. Also, now we know the faults of M.R. let's give the M.Z. a good run with steel shoes and flush headed rivets to find out if it is any better. With regard to independent suspension, it is not possible in Detroit at the moment to get a clear cut picture of the position. For one thing, every one is tearing around trying to get the niggers out of the production lines. Again, it's not too easy to get hold of representative production cars to try as dealers, demonstrators, etc. are clamouring for something to sell. However, this position will have ironed out in a few weeks. At present Cadillacs have not tried a Chrysler, no production cars are available and the ones exhibited were not driveable. In view of this I may stay a fortnight in Detroit on engine design, eight and 12 cyl. elimination of body resonance, exhaust and intake silencers, etc. then go to Bright & Langley field and return here for a week at the end of the trip to try these representative independently sprung cars on the road and get hold of the parts you want. | ||