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).
Analysis of the Opel Kapitan front suspension system, comparing it to designs from Packard, Vauxhall, and the Wraith model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154a\2\ scan0254 | |
| Date | 14th March 1940 | |
| File 1305 To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/DB.{Donald Bastow - Suspensions} c.c. to Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} [Signature] Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/DB.{Donald Bastow - Suspensions}14/JH.14.3.40. Opel Kapitan Front Suspension. [Handwritten note: see ✓ 1305. Oy Car file] Here is the analysis of this suspension asked for in Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/ML.5.3.40. The basic principle of this suspension is the grouping together of the front suspension component parts on a single crossmember which is then insulated from the frame by rubber attachments. Is is therefore the same as the Wraith suspension with the experimental rubber attachment to the frame, though achieved in a simpler and cheaper way. On the Opel, the frame has an increased kick up at the front so as to pass over the top of the suspension crossmember, and brackets on this crossmember fore and aft are used for attaching it to the frame through rubber slabs. Since the stiffness of the pan is removed from the frame it becomes necessary to add another cross-member at the front of the frame, and the struts from frame forward arms to dash already projected for the Junior Range, which are used both on the Opel Kapitan itself and on the later experimental Vauxhall. I think you will agree that we have never liked the feature of the Packard suspension in that it is spread over half the car, and from this point of view would welcome a departure from the Packard type suspension, provided that the time and money required for development of a new system are realised and available. Advantages of the suspension over the Packard are as follows :- (1) There is no restriction on wheel movement, due to the cross steering tube passing through the window in the torque arm, which applies on the Packard. (2) Ground clearance is improved. (3) Castor angle adjustment is very easy. Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} | ||