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).
From CJ to Hs regarding conflicting reports on the road trial testing of standard versus stiffer springs on cars with front wheel brakes.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 73\3\ scan0180 | |
| Date | 21th July 1924 | |
| R.R. 950 s (20 T) (S.B. 9)4. 5-9-19. G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 2470. 49940 To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from CJ. Front Wheel Brakes. CJ14/E21/7/24 Last Wednesday at Bedford it was suggested that a possible way out of the difficulty which we were then discussing was that we might reduce the power of the brakes on the front wheels to such an extent as to enable us to use standard springs instead of using springs which had been increased in stiffness 25% over standard springs. I raised the question as to whether we had any evidence as thrs the result of severe road trials as to whether the standard springs would be reliable in connection with four wheel brakes of reduced power. BJ and I both understood that your answer was that you had ample evidence inasmuch as that you had run cars fitted with four wheel brakes in France over prolonged distances which were fitted with standard springs. Before I left Bedford, still having in mind the fact that we could not adopt any change which had not been run in France for 10,000 miles, I again asked you the same question and you again gave me the same reply and I reported accordingly in writing to R.{Sir Henry Royce} BJ tells me that to-day you have told him that we have had no experience on a prolonged run in France of a car fatted with front wheel brakes and standard springs and that our experiences have been confined to front wheel brakes with springs 25% stronger than standard. He raised this question as to whether you would be satisfied that, if the 12% stronger were adopted, they would stand up to their work and you told him that we had no evidence on this point. How has this confusion arisen and what are the facts? CJ. | ||