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 of impressions on various cars with unconventional suspension systems and a review of the La Salle.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\R\2October1927-November-1927\ 14 | |
| Date | 14th November 1927 guessed | |
| contd :- -4- Other cars with unconventional suspension are the Sensaud de Lavaud illustrated in The Auto car which was obviously quite untested and looked hopelessly heavy. The Bucciali has front wheel drive which enables a remarkably low body to be fitted and independent rear wheel springing, and Leon Laisne with tubular frame side members containing gek helical springs and all four wheels independently sprung (details with R's copy). The S.A.R.A. still retains its double quarter elliptic rear springs and Hodgkiss drive as described last year. Summarising our impressions, we have as yet tried nothing better than the Ansaldo and the Lancia, both with conventional rear springs but unconventional front suspension. A normal front axle with transverse front spring seems, from the Farman, to be impractical on a large car owing to high speed wobbles and steering shocks. It would therefore appear that the most promising combination for experimental test would be normal rear springs and independent front wheel suspension on the lines of the Lancia or the Leon Laisne. LA{L. A. Archer} SALLE. We had the opportunity of trying a La{L. A. Archer} Salle, the latest product of the Cadillac form which has a 5-litre engine 'V' eight. This car was remarkably lively but the engine became somewhat obtrusive about 40 m.p.h. being rather rough over its whole range. The chassis appeared to be low and was fitted with a body having most attractive lines. Neither the brakes or steering were in passable condition, the car being almost uncontrollable. The top of the steering column contd :- | ||