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 low rating springs and hydraulic shock absorbers during road testing in France.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 17\1\ Scan051 | |
| Date | 31th August 1931 | |
| Handwritten top: Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}, X7410. X7410. X7520. X235. To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to R.{Sir Henry Royce} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} PN.{Mr Northey} re Low Rating Springs on Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}16/E31.8.31 40/50 for use abroad and shock absorbers. Stamp: RECEIVED 1931 SEP LH{Mr Haworth} H I thought you would be interested to have particulars of my experiences with low rating springs as fitted to the American chassis - (I believe they are the identical type) - and our standard hydraulic shock absorbers when used on the car in France. In view of the reports from GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} on 25-EX I took the precaution of having Hartford's fitted up before I left, leaving them perfectly slack so that we could test the springing without Hartford's. We found that without the Hartford's in use the springing was quite hopeless in France. The rebound on the back was too great due to insufficient damping and the controllability of the steering was impossible and the punishment to the driver from joggles was more than one could put up with. We then brought the Hartford's into use and the results were quite satisfactory - in fact one might say very good. I then received Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}3/AD11.8.31, advising me that 58-GN was not fitted with hydraulic shock absorbers having the latest standard settings for low rating springs. It seems rather a pity that I was sent away without these and I do not quite understand why because Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} (in your absence on holiday) knew what my intentions were in regard to the car. However, I am glad that you sent me another pair of dampers by PN{Mr Northey} and I received these when at Locarno. Kennett fitted them. We then slacked off the back Hartford's and drove the car locally and part of the way to Paris in that condition. We found that the springing at the back was very good - in fact almost as good as with the Hartford's. About half way to Paris I had the front Hartford's put out of action with a view to ascertaining whether the | ||