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 systems, tyre treads, and competitor designs from G.M. and Chrysler.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\1\ img110 | |
| Date | 26th January 1936 | |
| -3- (9) To compensate for the very low rating front springs, anti-rolling devices in the simplest form of a rod in torsion are being used at the back. (10) G.M. are hard at it on the rear wheels. Cy. favours Burney's method with a somewhat longer arm to eliminate braking effects. Chrysler says that he will not have the propellor shaft tunnel any longer; that is why he is pushing independent rear wheels. (11) One of the main troubles with independent wheel suspension has been too much self-centring on a corner. This is likely to be particularly noticeable with our equal arm lengths. Tyre wear is impossible on the Cadillac with this arrangement. (12) Tyre treads have had to be reconsidered in conjunction with independent wheel suspension. They are now more rounded instead of the old flat type. "Doughnut" tyres can be used on the new cars without trouble. (13) On the Lasalle they have pushed the rod and engine forward. In view of the fact that this information is from Cy., who cannot help being prejudiced in favour of the scheme he himself has sponsored, and also that I have never driven one of these cars on the road, the data should be taken as subject to qualification. It may, however, prove useful in getting out a preliminary lay-out of the SpectreCodename for Phantom III front end. I enclose a few cuttings showing details of G.M. and Chrysler schemes. We go to Curtiss Wright's to-morrow, Pratt & Whitney on Tuesday of next week. I then hope to go to the Harrison Rad. Corp. at Lockport, Pierce Arrow at Buffalo, Strip Lead Bronze at Cleveland; so that I shall not get to Detroit until about the 28th of January at the earliest. Please address my letters to my. there, care of Cadillac Motor Car Co. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||