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).
The urgent testing of a cabriolet car's front springs and brakes, comparing performance against other models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 72\3\ scan0048 | |
| Date | 28th August 1924 | |
| HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} To CJ. from BJ. Copies to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X9418 BJ1/28.8.24. Just before and since the August Bank Holiday, London officials have been urgently testing the cabriolet car which Derby sent here, fitted with the actual type of front springs which it is proposed to deliver to customers with front wheel brakes (namely, 12% stronger than our present 40/50 h.p. standard). As previously reported, the position to-day is that this car with the shock-absorbers slackened off approximately one and a half turns since the car was delivered from Derby is very similar to, but in some respects not quite as good as, our London demonstrating landaulet. We are now waiting for Derby to fit stronger similar springs, axle and front wheel brakes (not connected to the pedal) to the London demonstration car for final test, to satisfy us that the car thus fitted is likely to be satisfactory. The above tests were pushed on with as about three-quarters of our customers use closed cars, and the users of closed cars are most particular customers. To-day we are starting to test the Derby open touring car fitted with exactly similar springs to those which it is proposed to supply to customers (namely, 12% stronger than our present 40/50 h.p. standard.) So far we have only tested this car fitted with springs which were "rated" as 12% strong, but not identical in construction with the springs which are to be delivered to customers We are making our tests of this car and at the same time comparing it under similar conditions on the same roads with the London open car which is being used for demonstration. We hope to be able to give a final report on this open car to-morrow morning. PN.{Mr Northey} is unfortunately away in France on business, and Vx. is away on holiday, but these tests are being made by those who are in continual touch with customers and those who are often on the road in our best cars, namely, H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints}, C., Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}, OWB. and BJ. B.J. | ||