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).
From Mr. Royce clarifying his position on suspension, tyres, and the standardization of shock dampers for Phantom and 20 HP models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 67a\1\ scan0139 | |
| Date | 29th March 1926 | |
| COPY OF HAND-WRITTEN MEMORANDUM FROM Mr. ROYCE. Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence, 29. 3. 26. Phantom and 20 HP. Suspension and Tyres. My dear C.J., My letters on the above have led to some misunder-standing. Perhaps I was not clear in my rough notes or they went wrong at Wittering. First, as regards speed, I never intended to suggest that we should reduce the speed of the car or the power of the engines. We are working to increase this and with some hopes of success, especially in the aluminium Phantom engine, the instructions for which should be at Derby. What I intended to say was, Rather than be deprived of the use of lower pressure tyres, I personally should prefer to avoid very high speeds (if over 60 m.p.h.), though here we regularly every few days, pass 70, (with medium pressure tyres at 35 lbs.) As regards my pushing for the standardisation of lower pressure tyres, I intended that we should be prepared to do so as soon as our hydraulic shock damper were available, and not have a large stock of parts that would prevent us, without great loss or great delay. I do not ever recommend either going against the advice of the test or doing so without these special shock dampers, the designs for which have cost us at W.W. much time and thought. I think you will see that the recent conferences have decided for the '20' all I ever asked for. I want us to be ready to do so for the 40/50 as soon as we are satis-fied that the shock dampers are right and available. Why do I write thus. 1st because I find the production cars very many months behind what has been passed for standardisation and it is necessary for our reputation that they should have all the good things we know, probably quite unavoidable for one reason or another; this I was trying to reduce by timely warning. 2nd. With the present H.P. tyres one repeatedly | ||