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).
Steering wobble issues, proposed testing, and potential solutions for Phantom cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 28\4\ Scan270 | |
| Date | 14th August 1925 | |
| -2- to issue cars in their present state when they have had the wheels balanced and the customer has been instructed to keep the tyres up to the high pressure necessary, whilst we are experimenting. It seems likely that the designing, making experimental parts, experimenting and finally 10,000 miles testing may take some months before we arrive at a final decision of what is correct and safe. We than have to manufacture the new parts and have them fitted to all the cars which have been issued. Therefore perhaps it may be three or four months or more before we are able to satisfy ourselves that the Phantom cars are really safe under all conditions. I am placing this matter before you in case you wish to telephone to R.{Sir Henry Royce}, asking his opinion of what we should do under the circumstances. P.N. mentioned to R.{Sir Henry Royce} that although he moves considerably in motoring circles, he has not heard complaints of other high-powered cars being seriously dangerous to drive from wobbling, and Aston has stated in "The Tatler" that the new Big Bentley, which he has thoroughly tested, is entirely free from wobbles, owing to special construction of steering. P.N. is sending a copy of this statement to R.{Sir Henry Royce} in case he would like to get someone to examine their design. Also the point is being looked into to ascertain why the numerous racing cars have not suffered from steering wobbles. Possibly this is owing to a different steering ratio. This requires examination to prove. B.J. P.T.O. | ||