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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).
Appropriate type of springing for chassis being supplied to the American market, including feedback on different suspension setups.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 43\2\  Scan269
Date  20th January 1931
  
X3900.

Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}

RECEIVED 1931 JAN 12

To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} re Springing and RRAI. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}8/E20.1.31
Copy to Worr

Now that we have definitely told America that we are going to supply the springs and as the time is rapidly approaching when delivery of chassis ought to commence, it seems very important to settle on the type of springing that we are going to provide.

I should be glad if you would let me know as soon as possible what conclusions you have arrived at in regard to this matter since your return from America.

The following is an extract from a letter I have received from R.{Sir Henry Royce} to-day which doubtless will be of interest:

"I also got him (Mr.Minchin) to try the 10" deflection springing of 18-EX. He thought it a wonderful car, excellent up to 55/60 MPH., after that too soft and uncontrolled. His views were exactly what I have expressed and see no reason to change, so that we must have 2 or 3 grades of springing according to the use and taste of the buyers, but most difficult of all will be to find out which will suit the owner, so that generally we compromise and make the middle one our usual standard. This would be the 9" deflection until we are able to do more with the shock dampers, which are a possible way out, thought no-one has yet shewn us a specimen."

"The reason the USA. like soft springing is that they do not go so fast - i.e. speedometers are reading just that much high that will make the difference - and Mr.Beaver writes to me that the severe cold spoils their roads, hence they want comfortable low speed springing. This is confirmed by the usual USA. practice."

Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}
  
  


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