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).
Springing complaints for the 40/50 HP and 20 HP models, comparing suspension performance and customer feedback.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 71\2\ scan0114 | |
| Date | 22th January 1926 guessed | |
| contd :- -2- is 92 to 96 oscillations per minute. On the 40/50 HP. it is 72 to 75 oscillations per minute. In spite of the fact that the 40/50 is sprung relatively lighter than the 20 HP., the springing complaints on the 40/50 HP. are fairly frequent, whereas on the 20 HP. we very rarely get a complaint. In most of the cases of complaint on the 40/50 HP. it is found that the springs fitted to the car have been too stiff owing to the estimated weights given for building the chassis being too high. When correct springs have been fitted, most of the complaints are overcome. We occasionally get customers with 40/50 HP. cars whom we cannot satisfy even with radical changes to the springs. The same methods are used by the same people for estimating the weights so that it would appear the reason we do not get complaints of the wrong springs being fitted to the 20 HP., is either that the springing is not so sensitive, or because there is not such a big range of variable weights. We think it can be established that 85% of the springing complaints come from customers riding in the rear seats. It would appear that the original impression of the 20 HP. springing which was - that there was less difference between the comfort of the front and rear seats compared with the 40/50 HP., has been proved by the result of cars in customers hands. We have had it quoted that both the Lanchester and Sunbeam cars, both of which have canti-lever springing similar to the 40/50 HP. RR., are very much more comfortable to ride in than the 40/50 HP. RR. contd :- | ||