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 complaints regarding uncomfortable springs and ride quality on Phantom II cars, with recommendations on shock dampers and body configuration.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\2\ Scan370 | |
| Date | 1st November 1930 | |
| -3- SPRINGS NOT COMFORTABLE. Complaints under this heading are not numerous on Phantom 11 cars and the classification in the quarterly complaint does not give much of a clue to work on. The cure has to be applied to suit the particular complaint. The complaint may be hard riding in one case, or sea-sickness in another, and pitching in a third. The cure is in the majority of cases alteration to shock damper load. It is almost an impossibility to spring a car to suit every possible condition. We believe the present Phantom 11 springing is the best approach which we have ever made to the ideal. There will always be special cases to contend with e.g. Sir Robert Hadfield, which will necessitate special treatment. The type of body fitted to the car is a very big feature in producing good riding. We are always emphasising the advantages to be gained by keeping as much weight as possible to the rear; the ideal type of body is similar to 18-EX, 24-EX. and 26-EX. viz: two spare wheels at rear with luggage compartment and the rear seat forward of the rear axle. Long, high, heavy bodies with spare wheels at the side are to be avoided as much as possible. Sales can help us considerably in this respect. We do not sell the proportion of 'two spare wheels at the rear' cars that we had hoped. Weight in the centre of the car is to be avoided as much as possible viz: heavy partition windows with occasional seats combined with spare wheels on the side are bad. | ||