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).
Pressing for the adoption of hydraulic shock dampers, semi-balloon tyres, and a lighter front axle for Phantom & Coshank models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 29\1\ Scan201 | |
| Date | 27th February 1926 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} } FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} } LE CANADELHenry Royce's French residence. DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} } c. to CJ. BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} x457 R1/M27.2.26. RE. PHANTOM & COSHANK LOW PRESSURE TYRES. X.4565 X.5420 x457 X.235 X.8420 I am pressing for the adpption of the combination of - (1) Hydraulic shock dampers - 75 & 25 lbs. (2) Semi-balloon tyres. (3) The lighter front axle (also better manufacturing design). (1) and (2) to be adopted at once as soon as ever standardised, and (3) as soon as ever possible after standardisation. If we do not do this promptly we shall be left, and our sales will fall off. To me it seems absolutely necessary for (a) the comfort of the passengers, (b) the silence of body, and its life, (c) and life of the chassis. I am using these tyres myself on very rough roads with ordinary shock dampers, at all speeds, without any sign of wobbles. (It is true the wheels are balanced). The fact that these tyres are worse for wobbles suggests they are softer - i.e. more flexible - than straight sided tyres. I am not quite sure whether this remark applies to the same size and type of tyre, or whether Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} remarks apply to comparison of ordinary sized high pressure (45 lbs.) straight sided tyres with semi-balloon well base rims. It should be remembered that well base rims are lighter, (very important) waterproof, and probably safer because no loose rim to come off at high speed, and the results. You will see that altogether I feel safer with the tyres I am using. Regarding the new axle, amongst other items it has 1" out of centre point steering, some time ago thought to have a definite advantage of reducing the vigor of the high speed wobbles. Is this still thought so? We seemed to agree to a theory that it was so. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} will remember. Finally I would like to pray that the stock which prevents this move should be kept low. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||