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).
Report comparing competitor suspension and cooling systems, with notes on internal designs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\4\ img052 | |
| Date | 28th November 1935 | |
| -2- Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson}33/KW.28.11.35. (4) The only reason G.M. continue with Dubonnet suspension is that they have spent 3,000,000 dollars on tools and hate to waste it. It was originally a sales feature that no-one else possessed. (5) They consider the cheapest suspension to be wishbone coupled with longitudinal torsion bar. Torsion bars creep during the first 250 miles and require running in before setting the final height of the car. R.{Sir Henry Royce} & L.H. running in machines are required. Coil springs take up their final position after 2 or 3 oscillations. (6) Rear shock dampers of existing type can never stop axle patter owing to flexibility of the links and frame and anchorage and lack of location of the axle. Hence the spring interleaving on the V-16. Cy. says that whatever the load of the rear dampers the wheels will not stay on the road as the friction doesn't work for small, quick oscillations. Front dampers with wishbone construction do work owing to the rigidity of the parts. (7) Cy. has not had trouble with lack of sideways rigidity, and says the body should provide all that is required. He says the V-16 cross is in the right place and that its stiffness is additive to that of the body. (8) We showed them the SpectreCodename for Phantom III front suspension drawings and they say that road shocks are certain to exist with the wheel camber change, due to the high roll centre. Reducing this according to De. is not easy but appears necessary. We shall have to visit Saginaw about the steering box. (9) Buick no longer have an oil cooler since the oil is circulated in the cylinder block. This gives a 70°F reduction in temperature and very quick warming up. They claim their valve gear to be quiet at correct temperatures. I will send drawings later. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} | ||