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).
Comparing various wheel rims, with feedback from Mr. Crane and Mr. Fergusson on Firestone and Goodyear types.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 42\4\ Scan152 | |
| Date | 25th June 1920 | |
| Contd. -2- using this rim, but I am not familiar with up-to-date developments of the Stanwell and Goodyear rims." Mr. Crane (formerly of the Crane Simplex Co.) writes:- "I am using the Firestone demountable on my own car on wood wheels but am not particularly enthusiastic about them. They are very heavy and the quick-detachable part is not very handy. I have no recent experience with the Goodyear type but would certainly be inclined to give them a trial, as I believe that they are fairly light and otherwise about as good as the rest." Mr. Crane has preciously mentioned to me that all these rims are geavy for the work they have to do, and are capable of much improvement. Mr. Fergusson of the Pierce-Arrow Co. writes very fully, (copy enclosed) giving a warning as to the danger point on Goodyear rims (the sharp corner at the bottomof the locking groove) which you will find I think on all Goodyear rims but which we are trying to get rid of on rims we buy here for imported cars. I suppose that it is not possible now to avoid this sharp corner on wheels made by Dunlops, but would suggest that Rolls-Royce Ltd., might write Dunlops insisting on at least a 1/16" radius here on future orders. The claim of the Firestone Co. is that their rim is better than rims with loose dates (like the Stanwell or old Goodrich- see rims on Owen Magnetic) because loose pieces are always being lost or rusting up, or becoming inoperative due to "spring" of the various parts. They furhther claim that their rim is Contd. | ||