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).
Front-end weight comparison of suspension systems for Bentley, Wraith, and Packard vehicles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 88\3\ scan0197 | |
| Date | 24th April 1936 | |
| X258 To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Les.18/KW.24.4.36. Herewith a front end weight comparison of the suspensions of the Bentley, 20/25 HP., Ph.II, Ph.III, Wraith and Packard, with additionally a computed value for a Wraith torsion bar scheme, which is only approximate. The Packard use cast-iron shock absorbers for economy; every other system has aluminium shock absorbers. From a design point of view, therefore, the Packard should be credited with the difference between cast iron and aluminium damper cases. We are not altogether in agreement that the portions of the conventional frame forward of the radiator should be debited to the conventionally sprung system, because for the same road spring rating, an independent suspension of the wishbone type exerts more torque on the frame than conventional springing. Also we have not debited the wishbone scheme with the two pieces of frame which have to stick out forward of the radiator to carry the front wings, pan, bumper bar, etc. On the whole we think the figures given are a fair comparison. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} | ||