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 from Seiberling Rubber Company regarding the experimental 'safety rims' used on 1941 Chrysler cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 156\3\ scan0243 | |
| Date | 17th March 1941 | |
| COPY. SEIBERLING RUBBER COMPANY AKRON, OHIO. March, 17th, 1941. Major R F Fuller J P The Avon India Rubber Company Ltd. Melksham Wiltshire, England. Attention - Dr. J.G. Mackay. Dear Dr. Mackay:- You may have read of the 'safety rims' being used on 1941 cars made by Chrysler. The 'safety' feature consists of a hump on the bead ledge of the rim as shown on the attached print of drawing TR.{Capt. F. W. Turner - Finance}121340. These rims have been approved as experimental practice by the Tire & Rim Association. The hump is intended to keep the beads of the tire from going down into the well, and eliminate the danger of the tires jumping off the rim. The rims do prevent this but how much the feature is worth as a safety measure is hard to determine. Mounting of tires on these rims is not difficult. About 12lbs. inflation is required to force our beads over the hump when mounting. A special tool is required for demounting the tire and this consists of a wedge shaped cam which is placed between rim flange and bead. Rotating the cam forces the bead out beyond the hump on the ledge. Our objection to the rim is that the tire is rather difficult to remove and the user who is not familiar with the removing tool may attempt to force the tire off with conventional rim tools, thus breaking the beads. Goodyear, who furnish all tires put on new Chrysler cars, claim that they have had no trouble that could be attributed to the rims. However, the rims have not been in use very long and it may be found that trouble does develop in the field. For this reason the Tire and Rim Association gave approval as experimental practice rather than complete approval. Very truly yours, E.H. Gibbs (Signed). Manager Foreign Plant Service. | ||