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).
Adapting a Bentley's suspension for American road conditions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\1\ img106 | |
| Date | 25th January 1934 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Mor. c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to Hdy.{William Hardy} c. to Rn.{Mr Robinson} c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Hx. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}12/KW.25.1.34. Copy of Report received from Ra. in U.S.A. We have spent the day at the R.R. Plant trying to make the suspension of the Bentley reasonable for American conditions. In spite of only having covered about 250 miles, the body was a mass of rattles which quite spoilt the impression created otherwise. My feeling so far is that the American roads fit for speed are so wide and have so little camber that it is not necessary to have very stiff springs to obtain directional stability. Also there are no roads corresponding to the English cross-country main roads, i.e. with a good surface but endless corners. On the other hand, with the traffic density and continual stop lights one is frequently forced to travel for miles at below 30 m.p.h. and frequently the roads on these stretches have a rippling surface, which make the Bentley as sprung for France ride like a truck. On this particular car the situation is undoubtedly emphasised by the body having already run over 30,000 miles. It is really in a very poor condition. However, by taking .020 off the valve springs of the front dampers and increasing the washer under the valve from .010 to .020 we have made an improvement, and shall repeat it on the rear dampers as opportunity occurs. I feel that the Peregrine low rating spring deflections would be ideal for the Bentley under U.S.A. conditions, and if fitted with a two position damper setting as being arranged, would meet requirements. Generally speaking, everyone is most impressed with the performance, ease of control, low appearance and road holding of the car; the criticisms being suspension and wing movement, both of which were improved by mods. previously described. | ||