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).
Pros and cons of different types of road springs for cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 17\1\ Scan042 | |
| Date | 22th June 1931 | |
| 87410. To Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to EF. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} FN. c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Ed.{J. L. Edwards} Ms/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/KT.22.6.31. SPRINGING OF R.R. CARS. X.7410. X.5410. With reference to the point you raise in CXS/KW18.6.31. concerning the sports type of road spring. Our own opinion is that if a man wants to drive really fast most of the time, he will be best pleased with the continental type of road spring whatever body he has fitted. One of the main advantages which these springs give, is that they lower the centre of gravity of the car which is appreciated even more on a full sized heavy car than on a continental type of saloon. In view of these remarks you may wonder for what type of car the intermediate springing, giving 8 3/4" deflection on the rear and 3.1" on the front, should be used. We think these springs would be most useful for the man who frequently drives his own car but does not wish to go fast as a general rule. The disadvantage of the lowest rating springs is that they do undoubtedly impair the controlability of the car and make it a less pleasureable vehicle to drive. They have been evolved solely to improve the comfort of the passengers in the rear seats. We are working to get this riding comfort without spoiling the car control, and the improved shock dampers permitting higher loads will help us when they have been standardised. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||