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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).
Poor road holding at high speeds and potential improvements to suspension systems.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 105\3\  scan0105
Date  14th May 1930
  
-4- Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson}1/MJ.14.5.30.Contd.

(3) Poor Road Holding at High Speeds.

The fact that we have been able to satisfy MR.
Fairey with standard road springs and increased poundage on
the hydraulics indicates that our suspension can be made to
cover a remarkable range. We have had to provide Sir Henry
Segrave with supplementary friction shock absorbers, and we
think that on the whole this is the best method of dealing
with such drivers. It does not seem logical to re-design
the hydraulics throughout to cater for 1% of Rolls-Royce owners.

In view of our results during the last six months
it is interesting to note that last week a paper appeared in
"Automotive Industries" by Mr. Watson, the foremost shock
absorber manufacturer in U.S.A., in which he recommended lower
rating front springs to improve the riding of American cars
which at present is admittedly very inferior. He quoted the
best car he had ever ridden in as having a front spring period-
icity of 86/min which is equivalent to running deflection of
almost 5". Naturally, all observations from the States have
to be treated with reserve, but it is instructive to note that
modern road surfaces and higher average speeds have made them
form opinions similar to our own.

We suggest that we should like to try some form of
front suspension that will give us a very low frequency for any
1" deflection from the normal load position and then have a
much increased rating to prevent crashing on the buffers.

It appears that a leaf spring of the rating we think
desirable will not provide adequate transverse control for the axle, and
that consequently some other provision will have to be made to
take care of this feature.
HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson}
  
  


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