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).
Proposed alterations to tyres, following a trend from the USA for larger, softer tyres with lower air pressure.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 42\5\ Scan034 | |
| Date | 15th August 1923 | |
| BJ. OY. CJ. HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} TO BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} ROY.{Sir Henry Royce} } from R.{Sir Henry Royce} X3895 R2/M15.8.23. & ALTERATIONS TO TYRES. X.4565 X.3895 X3602 I learn from OY. that the tyre makers in U.S.A. are proposing to increase the size of the tyres and make the walls thinner and more flexible, resulting in a softer and more supple tyre with lower pressure of air. You will remember that this is exactly what we have always desired from the early Palmer days. I think it is very necessary to realise that the most effective way of improving the riding of a motor-car as regards road shocks is (1) To perfect the roads themselves, (2) Then the tyres, (3) Then the road springs, and fininally (4) the carriage cushions, and that the importance and the promise of success is in this order both as regards cost and comfort of the passengers. Naturally as regards tyres one would fear that the limitation was the risk of perforation of the larger tyres with thinner walls. We propose that as soon as possible we get 3 sets of 6" tyres for the 40/50 of the same rolling diameter as the present tyres, so as to maintain the road clearance. I should also recommend 3 sets of 5" cushion tyres for the 20 HP. I also think we ought to press these views [strikethrough]for example[/strikethrough] on the Dunlop Co. and the other English makers, that is, supple tyres, large section, and low pressure air. Naturally all these tyres must be of the straight sided order, otherwise we shall expect them (with low pressure air) not to stop in the clincher rims when passing round a corner. contd:- | ||