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).
Technical memorandum discussing the effectiveness and issues with the 'ride control' system on a Bentley, with proposed solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\2\ scan0165 | |
| Date | 9th August 1934 | |
| - 2 - Sr4/ET.9.8.34 Personally I am all for "ride control" on the BENTLEY car, providing it is effective. At the present time it certainly is effective, but not to the extent of being really very much use to the continental owner. Another point which seems interesting to bring forward is that, as these cars are invariably driven at high speeds and by all and sundry, mostly by owner drivers, one has got to be prepared for customers who, when batting along at high speed, suddenly takes into his mind that he can reduce the effect of the shock damping by means of the "ride control" from probably maximum position to minimum with the object of demonstrating to a friend the tremendous difference. If at this moment he has suddenly to apply the brakes, it would be interesting to know what exactly will happen. In my experience, the feeling at only fair speeds when applying the brakes on minimum position on undulated roads (short undulation - waves - wavelets) is anything but agreeable and gives the front of the car a severe shaking up. Finally, the problem seems to be set as follows: a.{Mr Adams} Find a solution to reduce or annul the front end, wing and lamp movement. b. Fit to the front and rear of the car springs with a higher degree of flexibility. c. Make the variation in the "ride control" distinctly more efficient between the maximum and minimum positions Personally, I do not think that, until the front of the car is steadied up one can expect to get, on continental roads and especially on uneven pavé, much use out of the "ride control" in the minimum position, owing to the jellying already mentioned. I trust that I have made myself clear. Sr Better late than never? sr. | ||