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).
Road test and comparison of a specially sprung 25 HP car's suspension.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154a\4\ scan0035 | |
| Date | 9th January 1937 | |
| Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} Interesting. Have written to Hancock for particulars Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 1306 HOTEL DE FRANCE. CHATEAUROUX. Indre. France. To. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} At Sr's request I went up to Paris Thursday night to try a specially sprung 25 H.P. car with a controlled front roll rod. The road springs are R.R. soft springs which have been specially treated by the Lemoine Co. The car can be easily swung about stationary, and felt that it would roll at the slightest uneven surface of road or steering. It had special hydraulic dampers which were controlled either back or front. For Town work at a speed of 30 MPH. a better rear seat ride was obtained than with our specially sprung car. That throw-up which on our car we could not overcome, was definitely less on this car with the front dampers set to half load and rear minimum. On all the wavy and uneven surfaces, a good ride was obtained in the rear seat. The cushions were of the spring type and fairly hard. There was not the slightest tendency to roll, choose what or how a corner was taken. The road holding was remarkable. When speed was used on all, but the real bad French roads, a setting of the dampers could produce a comfortable ride. On pavé, the usual bumpiness could be felt. For English conditions it would be better than what we have produced. The roll-rod was controlled by air pressure, 4 kilos being the best all round condition. I did not get particulars but Sr. can obtain them if you are interested. --------- Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} | ||