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).
Modifications to the suspension of the Prince of Wales' car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 52\4\ Scan115 | |
| Date | 30th May 1930 | |
| Y4521 EP {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} 7/H30.5.30. re.115-WJ. PRINCE OF WALES. We hasten to deal with the points raised in LE5/H29.5.30. in which he reports that since the car has been over to France the Prince complained of the car swaying and bumping, also had said he was seriously thinking of getting rid of the car as he did not care for the springing. Ladbroke, the driver, is very definite that he should have considerably stronger springs and compares it unfavourably with the springing of the 4 1/4 litre Bentley with which the Prince is satisfied from a springing point of view. The springing of the Bentley is extremely hard and for low speed running rides like a truck, the springs being excessively damped. You may remember that we have all along appreciated that the Prince of Wales required strong springs. The springs at present fitted are considerably stronger than our standard. The stronger springs were fitted when the car was last at the Works. The rear shock absorbers are also of higher loading. In discussing the matter with the Experimental Dept. this morning we recommend that still stronger springs should be fitted so that a buffer clearance for the rear of 4" is obtained under full load conditions, as specified in JLE {J. Lee Evans - Chassis Test Manager} 's memo. i.e. 4 to 6 passengers, with anything up to 2 cwt. of luggage. Friction Shock absorbers should also be fitted as were fitted on Sir Henry Segrave's car. Hartfords are preferred, but as we understand there is no scheme for these, presumably Afa shock absorbers will have to be fitted. Will you please arrange to send the necessary official instructions to the Works to proceed on these lines. In the meantime, will BY. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} please instruct the Works to prepare stronger springs and provide fittings for the Afa shock absorbers, also take the necessary steps to have the Afa shock absorbers ordered up immediately. No doubt it will take some days to obtain the shock absorbers and necessary fittings. We shall be glad, however, if you will get in touch with Ladbroke, the driver and assure him the matter is having our prompt attention and will let him know as soon as we are in a position to deal with the car, when we trust he will be able to arrange for it to CONT'D:- | ||