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).
Summary of correspondence with Sir John Latta regarding the springing of chassis GZK-52.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\5\ Scan060 | |
| Date | 5th August 1926 | |
| S.W. S.P. Copy to:- Hy. {Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Au. H. {Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} n/6/80 Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X4118 GWEB/GE/5-8-26. Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} replied 10/8/26 Re: Chassis No. GZK-52. Sir John Latta. From the commencement Sir John Latta has not been satisfied with the springing of this 20 h.p. car. He has always stated that it cannot compare with the springing of his former 20 h.p. car - GA-9. CRE1/GB/3526 reported his original complaint and also the relative weights of GA-9 and GZK-52, from which information the chassis was resprung, according to Dy {F R Danby} /GB/47526. Sir John Latta reported 31st May 1926, referring to the original set of springs:- "After a further impartial trial, not only does the car ride much more roughly than the old one with the two brakes, but there is a distinct vibration that becomes very tiring in a short time". The new springs were fitted but were not satisfactory and on the 8th June Sir John Latta wrote, thanking us for the promptness with which the change-over had been made and saying, "I hasten to let you have my opinion of the new springs. My wife thinks the car is really rougher than with the others, but I am quite sure it is not, although whether it is slightly better I would not like to say, but I feel sure it is not worse. The chief factor, however, attaches to the fact that the springing as it is now is incomparably inferior to the little 20 h.p. that I gave in exchange for it, fitted with two brakes only. That little car seemed to be much more lightly sprung. You could test its easy springing by hand. In the latter connection, my present car is heavy and solid, and much more difficult to get a move on the springs at all. I understand the principle followed with the new springs is that they are considerably heavier than those removed. Comparing the feeling of the two cars the ordinary mind would say that these springs are far too heavy, but your expert knowledge must be accepted as overruling the lay mind on a question so highly technical. In any event I am prepared to assert that the perfectly delightful springing of the little 20 h.p. I returned to Barkers, is absent in my new car to the extent of at least 50 per cent, and perhaps even 75 per cent." Further on the 28th June, Sir John Latta wrote:- "With reference to our previous correspondence surrounding the springing of my Phantom and 20 h.p. cars, both of which have had their springs changed from those first supplied. In a word, on anything but a very smooth road, and at over a very moderate speed, the springing leaves much to be desired. On a long journey, although my 20 h.p. with four brakes is obviously much | ||