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).
The performance of a Dubonnet Independent Front Wheel Suspension system on chassis 19-G-IV.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154\1\ scan0241 | |
| Date | 14th January 1935 | |
| X3873 To Sg. {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. to Wor. {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} /Les.14/KW.14.1.35. 20/25 HP. Car Fitted with Dubonnet Independent Front Wheel Suspension. Chassis 19-G-IV. In dealing with this car it has been our object that Dubonnet should return to us a completed car which we could criticise as being the best that can be done with the Dubonnet type of independent front wheel suspension. Dubonnet, however, has tried to give us something which he imagined would be better than what other manufacturers have found to be best with his system. The majority of manufacturers when using the Dubonnet system have done their own development work, and in consequence Dubonnet's knowledge of suspension is less than we had expected. Dubonnet considers the dare-devil French drivers rather than the rear seat passengers. 19-G-IV is now at Derby where we are continuing with its development. The state in which it was returned was unsatisfactory owing to the particular type of shock dampers used. Rear Seat Riding. We see no reason why this suspension system should not give an equally good rear seat ride to any other independent suspension system. We have tried two Pontiacs and a Hotchkiss Car which have been good for riding. Steering. The Dubonnet suspension on 19-G-IV is free from steering road shocks. Even with no load on the front shock dampers the steering is dead. All Dubonnet suspension cars so far tried have been free from road shocks. In comparing this car, we must realise that our other independent suspension cars are larger and thus the road shocks are liable to be more noticeable. | ||