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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).
Advocating for the adoption of hydraulic shock dampers, semi-balloon tyres, and a lighter front axle for Phantom & Goshawk models.

Identifier  WestWitteringFiles\O\January1926-March1926\  Scan87
Date  27th February 1926
  
ORIGINAL

HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} )
TO RY. ) [Struck through] FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce}
DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} ) (Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.)

C. to CJ. BJ. WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}

R1/M27.2.26.

[Handwritten]:
X565 / X235
X5410 / X8410

re. PHANTOM & GOSHAWK LOW PRESSURE TYRES.

I am pressing for the adoption of the combination of -

(1) Hydraulic shock dampers - 75 & 25 lbs.
(2) Semi-balloon tyres.
(3) The lighter front axle (also better manufacturing design.)

(1) and (2) to be adopted at once as soon as ever standardised, and (3) as soon as ever possible after standardisation.

If we do not do this promptly we shall be left, and our sales will fall off. To me it seems absolutely necessary for (a) the comfort of the passengers, (b) the silence of the body, and its life, (c) the life of the chassis.

I am using these tyres myself on very rough roads with ordinary shock dampers, at all speeds, without any sign of wobbles. (It is true the wheels are balanced.)

The fact that these tyres are worse for wobbles suggests they are softer - i.e. more flexible - than straight sided tyres. I am not quite sure whether this remark applies to the same size and type of tyre, or whether HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} remarks apply to comparison of ordinary sized high pressure tyres [struck through] (45 lbs.) straight sided tyres with semi-balloon well base rims.

It should be remembered that well base rims are lighter, (very important) waterproof, and probably safer because no loose rim to come off at high speed, and the results.

You will see that altogether I feel safer with the tyres I am using.

Regarding the new axle, amongst other items it has 1" out of centre point steering, some time ago thought to have a definite advantage of reducing the vigors of the high speed wobbles. Is this still thought so? We seemed to agree to a theory that it was so. HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} will remember.

Finally I would like to pray that the stock which prevents this move should be kept low.

R.{Sir Henry Royce}

[Stamp] RECEIVED
  
  


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