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).
Correspondence regarding the springing issues and modifications for Sir John Latta's Phantom car, chassis 92-LC.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 67a\2\ scan0120 | |
| Date | 23th April 1928 | |
| S/W. Copy to:- Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 48410 CWB1/GM/23.4.28. Re: Chassis No. 92-LC. Sir John Latta. As you are aware, we have had considerable difficulty in satisfying Sir John Latta regarding the springing of his Phantom car 92-LC. Several changes of springs have been made, but he has remained unsatisfied and at the present moment we have at Cricklewood a set of experimental stiffer springs to try on his car. Subsequent to the receipt of these springs at Cricklewood he has taken delivery of another car, 44-EH, with which he is very satisfied indeed and writes - "It gives me pleasure to state that I think this latest chassis far superior to any that I have ever had of yours and think that you are now getting very near the perfection you have for so long been aiming at. I found on the new car that it behaved infinitely better going round sharp corners which it can take at a much greater speed than my other car. I have wondered whether this is due to the fluting or grooving in the new springs which I believe are not in the old. I also found when going over switch back that one remained on ones seat and is not thrown up against the roof as happens on a bad switch back in my present car." Do you consider there can be anything material in the question of the grooved spring roller which is referred to? Sir John Latta wishes us now to spring his old car identically with his new one. Our records do not show what springs are at present fitted to 92-LC, but you will have at W. both the weights and springs fitted to both 92-LC and 44-EH, and I should therefore be glad if you will let me know at once what weight of springs would be required for 92-LC to spring it similarly to 44-EH and what alterations, if any, are required to the present springs to make them correspond to the springing as fitted to 44-EH. I am assuming that Sir John Latta will agree to pay for rear hydraulic shock dampers being fitted to 92-LC. It has already been fitted with front hydraulic dampers and balloon tyres. CONT: | ||