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).
History and specifications of the 25 HP Special Touring Saloon chassis, particularly regarding springs and shock absorbers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 106\1\ scan0316 | |
| Date | 30th December 1931 | |
| re- 25 h.p. Car. With reference to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}2/MJ19.12.31 attached, I cannot trace that we in London have specified stiffer road springs or Hartford shock absorbers in sending erection particulars to the Works. If, therefore, the Works can let us know to which chassis they refer in saying that there have been several cars lately for which these requirements have been specified, it would enable us more definitely to trace the origin of the instructions. My feeling is, however, that these instructions have probably arisen at the Works through our having asked for the F.{Mr Friese} steering column. Briefly the history of the chassis which was designated the Special Touring Saloon chassis is as follows. We for some time considered that, as we had successfully put on the market a Continental Touring Saloon 40/50, we might with equal success put upon the market a 25 h.p. with a similar kind of body. W. at the time intimated that there would be no difficulty in fitting a chassis of that type with F steering column and with flatter springs such as were fitted on the Continental 40/50, which may, or may not, require the addition of Hartford shock absorbers. This latter point would be decided by experience. As the result of that we decided that we should like to produce a car of that type in order to see whether there was any market for it and what its performance was like, but we were not prepared to put down any chassis and to have bodies specially built for them conforming more or less to the lines of the 40/50 Continental, until we received an order for such a car. It so happened that we did get an order shortly afterwards from a Mr.Heal, although the body was to his own design. It was however discovered that this car with the flat springs recommended by W. was not successful and the owner complained. W. then fitted Hartford shock absorbers and returned the car to the customer, but he still was not satisfied. The car was returned to the Works and they removed the flat springs and fitted low rating springs instead, leaving the Hartford shock absorbers on. The customer is now entirely satisfied. The idea that additional shock absorbers might be necessary on this 25 h.p. model originated at the Works. We, to cover the cost of the alterations from standard in respect of steering column, special springs and shock absorbers imposed a supplementary charge on the customer of £25. for a Special Touring Saloon chassis, but in view of the fact that special springs and therefore possibly additional shock absorbers are probably now not necessary, and that the F.{Mr Friese} column can be fitted without expense, we shall drop the supplementary charge of (contd) | ||