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).
Letter concerning a front spring shearing accident on car 48-PK and related faulty spring designs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 181\M10\ img102 | |
| Date | 29th August 1924 | |
| Y4199 Expl: Dept: Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., Derby. Angleterre. 29th. Aug. 1924. Hotel de France, Chateauroux, Indre, France. Mr. Lidsey from hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} We have received your telegram stating that the cause of the accident on 48-PK car (Cabriolet) was due to the centre bolt in the front spring shearing. You will realise, of course, that the sheath which is now fitted to the front spring has been added in order to avoid the risk of accident. We assume therefore that it is the head of the centre bolt which has dropped off and that the sheath was not sufficiently tight to hold the spring by friction. You will realise our anxiety to arrive at the cause of this accident. CJ. and BJ. are very disturbed with the fact that the first car we hand over to an outside driver to take on, has had this mysterious accident. We should like you to send a further report giving complete particulars. It has been further agreed that the 2x 12 1/4% springs on 9-PK car are of faulty design and that the tests have got to be carried out again with some new front springs. We anticipate it will be a week to 10 days before the springs are available. 98-NK. car will be sent out with these contd :- [Handwritten note in left margin] Also reversing the centre adds bending stress and it was expected the bolt would not break. if this occurs. | ||