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).
Harsh ride quality and appearance of a car after new front springs were fitted.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\3\ Scan167 | |
| Date | 3rd October 1930 | |
| Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 87960 x7960 x7410 x7520 To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to Pn.{Mr Northey} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} [struck through] re 58-GN. Springing SgE/E3.10.30 Referring to your HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}4/MJ.19.9.30 I have not replied earlier as I was anxious to use the car as much as possible before expressing an opinion. I am sorry to say that, speaking generally, I do not think any improvement has been effected. Possibly the pitching on the back seat is a little less but the general feel of the car is harsher, especially in the front seat. In fact, in order to reduce the harshness Kennett has found it necessary to reduce the tyre pressures very considerably below normal and what we were previously running at. Another point I do not like is that the car now has the appearance you refer to in your memo. of being down at the back and up at the front. It does not look anything like as well on the road as it did before on this account. Your memo. of course indicates that you thought that the front springs you had put on were too hard, and I gathered that there was another pair on order which should be ready shortly which would be less hard. Would you please let me know how soon I can have these and whether they could be put on at N. Alternatively I think that the best thing would be to put back the original front springs, but if the other ones are likely to be available shortly, it would probably be a pity to do this before I could try them. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||