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).
List of points of interest regarding American automotive design and technology for an upcoming visit to the U.S.A.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 174\2\ img258 | |
Date | 25th August 1938 | |
He/LS. from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}10/R.25.8.38. With regard to your visit to the U.S.A. in the immediate future, the following are points in which we are interested:- (1) We should like to have as many particulars as you can get hold of on the appearance of the 1939 models and their specifications. We are particularly interested in the Lincoln Zephyr set up, and should like any information you can get from L.P. Saunders as to the difficulties encountered and the General satisfaction, or otherwise, which the Lincoln Zephyr has produced. (2) We should like any information you can get as to work which is being done on wind resistance on automobiles, and what correction factors have to be applied between the models and the full scale cars. We believe that Chryslers have done more wind tunnel work than anyone else on the General Motors Proving Ground, and must also have figures. (3) We should like to know the tendency, or otherwise, of automobile manufacturers to go to frameless motor-cars. (4) While you are with Bendix we should like to know whether any new development in two-leading shoe brakes are likely to be adopted by the Automobile Industry. (5) We should like any information available on variable rate road springs, and road springs generally. Packards have done a lot of work on this subject. (6) We should like the latest information on control free-wheels and remote control for gearbox operation. (7) The latest tyre development. Is any shape of tyre tread being used in America which does not cause the steering to become very heavy when the non-skid pattern is worn ? (8) We should like samples of the latest steering wheels, also any new development with regard to instrument board layouts that might be considered to be compatible with English tastes. | ||