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).
Analysis of Chrysler's 'air flow' models, focusing on independent suspension, ride quality, and weight distribution.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\1\ img347 | |
| Date | 19th February 1934 | |
| SCS NOR E By Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} HOY / H / Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}'l / KW 19.2.34 / 2/2/34 H S CHRYSLERS INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION These people are convinced that their air flow jobs ride as well as any of the independently sprung cars. I confirmed the following: Weight distribution: Unloaded 56% on front wheels Spring Ratings Front Static defln. 4.5" Loaded " Rear " 8.0" Spring leaf Friction Most important to eliminate this. Use Graphite bronze buttons in the leaf. Am sending a set back. They are rather like WOODHEADS old "ALF'S BUTTON" They are quite convinced themselves that if you get K²/ab = 1 it is not necessary to have a very low rating front spring nor is the riding sensitive to the front spring rating, because no blow at the front of the car of reasonable proportions can disturb the rear passengers. They get K²/ab on the air flow - 1.05 empty while the very best you can do with a conventional car is about .75. Of course with the air flow, in addition to pushing the engine forward, they house both wheels at the back. They claim that the back seat ride is appreciably better than the front seat ride. That the conventional leaf spring is an asset as it insulates the car against direct forward and side thrusts which the independent does not. This seems to be borne out by the fact that Cadillacs are playing with mounting their wish bones in rubber. That by using a 44" long front spring which gives them a reasonable top leaf thickness, and having the engine mass where it is they get good steering; that their girder frame-body construction is a great factor of safety. Also that it eliminates the frame vibration that causes often that high frequency shake so annoying to passengers. They have been working on this weight distribution theory for a long time. They showed me forty models used in wind tunnel tests and for judging appearance. The engine has been moved forward something like 20". | ||