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).
Inter-office correspondence discussing spring breakages and weight distribution, comparing American and English cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 43\2\ Scan041 | |
| Date | 10th June 1922 | |
| R.R.A.25 25m. 12-29-20 40849 Y262F X3900 INTER-OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE ROLLS-ROYCE OF AMERICA, INC SPRINGFIELD, MASS. Oyl - G 10622 June 10, 1922 CONFIDENTIAL Dear Hives: Re: Springs (Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}5/G 11.5.22) I have replied at length on the Bendix Drive and on spring shackles. It is now necessary to clear up the other points of your letter. Many of the American cars have now completed over 10,000 miles in the hands of customers; the chassis 102-CA has made about 16,000 miles of the hardest running which could be desired including some mountain climbing, 100 miles on first speed, and 100 miles on reverse. We have had no case of spring breakage. On the other hand the early English post-war cars have had several breakages, notably 4-X, the first post-war car received which has now I believe broken all its springs, front and rear (thick leaf). The break in each case shows a poor fracture. I therefore think that we are getting better springs here than you are in England. This was indicated by your test on the springs off 4-EX. Furthermore, I believe your front springs in England are on the weak side because you do not allow for a sufficient proportion of the body weight on the front axle. This might not be detected in measuring the springs because the front springs are often dry and will set themselves in a variety of positions after bumping. We find from your springing chart that you allow 30% of the body weight (including wings, lamps, etc.) on the front axle. We find on our American bodies that 40% of the | ||