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 Brinell hardness testing of Bentley front spring leaves.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 87\4\ scan0028 | |
| Date | 18th May 1934 | |
| HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} X246 HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/FD.{Frank Dodd - Bodies}5/KW.18.5.34. B-29-AE. We have had brinell tested the damaged top leaves of the front springs taken off the above car, and the results are as per attached photograph. The brinell of the standard Bentley spring is between 369 - 401. Messrs. Woodheads are the makers, and we have fitted the first 200 chassis with springs supplied by this firm. From the 200th chassis onwards we are fitting 50% of Woodhead's and 50% of Firth's. We have had 3 sets of Bentley production springs brinell tested and out of 128 leaves 41, i.e. 30% are below our minimum figure. The brinell of the tested leaves varies between 302 and 430. Only about 10% of the leaves show a previous mark of having been brinell tested, and these are the smaller size leaves. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/F.Dodd. | ||