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).
Suspension comparison test between a Lancia and a 40/50 HP model, focusing on the effect of rear-mounted spare wheels.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\P\2July1926-September1926\ Scan174 | |
| Date | 20th September 1926 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} c.c. to EJ. Hor. ✓ c.c. to RG.{Mr Rowledge} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} ✓ c.c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} EY. ✓ c.c. to OY. ORIGINAL Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rhd/LG20.9.26. SUSPENSION. X8410 X4048 We have always been under the impression that the Lancia owed a great deal of its reputation as a well sprung car at high speeds over bad roads, to the method employed in carrying the rear wheels at the back with a very large 'overhang' from the rear axle. We carried out tests to ascertain the difference in riding occasioned by removing the spare wheels. These were not placed in the car, but a certain amount of ballast was carried well forward of the rear seat to give reasonable spring deflection. For comparison with an R-R car the balloon tyres on the Lancia were inflated to 40 and 45 lbs/sq.in. The water test employed in the front and rear was exactly the same as that originally used for comparing the rear suspensions at 23 m.p.h. The test stretch was about 500 yds. long with a poor surface (but nothing in comparison with a bad French road) including two ruts occasioned by drains sinking. An average speed of 40 m.p.h. was maintained. The results shew that the riding in both the front and rear seats is vastly improved by the spare wheels. We should also say that the riding in the back of the Lancia benefits largely from the front suspension. The 40/50 HP. with which the Lancia was compared had hydraulic dampers in front and Hartfords at the rear, no hydraulic rear dampers being available at the time of the test. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/W.A.Robotham. | ||