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).
Ride comfort and springing of the Phantom model, comparing it to other models and suggesting improvements.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\O\January1926-March1926\ Scan141 | |
| Date | 18th March 1926 | |
| TO HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}) FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} ~~DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}~~) (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.) ~~BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}~~) ORIGINAL Copy to - ~~CJ.~~ E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} RG.{Mr Rowledge} PHANTOM - re. SPRINGING & COMFORT OF THE REAR SEATS. X8410 X5410 I understand that the complaint is that the Phantom does not ride equal to the Silver Ghost even when this latter has front wheel brakes and therefore front springs of equal rating. I believe I am not mistaken when I say we have had cars at WW. with front wheel brakes (therefore stiffer front springs) in which the riding in all the seats was equal to anything we have ever had. One knows that stiffer front springs and especially tight shock dampers, and still more hard tyres, will cause road vibrations to more easily reach the body and shake the whole car, causing body noises, but I cannot believe that a change of 25% in stiffness of the front springs is sufficient to make a change from an excellent to an abominable car. In all my observations (and one special experiment with the 20HP.) anything which added to the steadiness of the front of the car greatly increased the comfort of the back seats, because it reduced the tendency to pitch. The 20HP. car rides better in the rear seats I believe than we should expect from a so much smaller and lighter car. Now the rating of these front springs is greater than the stiffer front springs of the 40/50. It is quite easy to temporarily change the front springs of any car about which there is special complaint, to the lower rating, but it must be done with some exactness. If the aforegoing is correct then the following may help an explanation - I believe the position of the centre of gravity of a complete car will make a great difference in its riding. Now there is a distinct difference between Phantom, Silver Ghost, and Goshawk, the Silver Ghost being further back in each respectively, and I think they ride better in similar order. If there is anything in this what could be done to improve the results;- (1) Heavy bodies will for this (and the more constant load) be distinctly better than light bodies, (but I have a dread of top heavy ones.) (2) Carry all spares, battery, and spare wheels, as far back as possible. (3) Use every endeavour (as I have been recommending since the Phantom appeared) to make the engine and front of the chassis lighter: (this is in hand and should be hurried up.) (1) | ||