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).
Fitting an independent front suspension to a Bentley chassis, weighing modifications against a new design.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 87\4\ scan0131 | |
| Date | 19th August 1936 | |
| -2- The fact that the particular independent front suspension fitted to the car was of the Gordon Armstrong type seems to us to be immaterial, also that the car had certain faults such as under-steering. To have been able to demonstrate, however, that we can give the customer the benefits of independent suspension without tearing up the chassis and coachwork from end to end, appears to us to be of the utmost importance. On the drawing board a completely new car is a most attractive proposition. In practice we believe such wholesale alteration can only be justified in dire necessity such as occurred on the Ph.II, where the chassis was out of date from stem to stern. We do not agree that the Bentley is out of date except with regard to suspension, and the minimum frame modifications necessary to incorporate this alteration. The disadvantages of a completely new motor car at one bite scarcely need emphasizing. We have just struggled into production with Ph.III after involuntarily starving the big car market for twelve months. We have had so many new pieces, each with its own particular problem, that we have had to take the shortest cut to rectify troubles. In consequence, weight and cost have suffered. We can see where we might cheapen and lighten parts in many directions, when we have a chance to get over our indigestion. Unfortunately before we have got very far, Wraith will be on test; with the exception of the power unit this is an entirely new motor car. To stuff a completely new Bentley on top of the Wraith if this is not necessary is sheer gastronomic suicide. As a result of trying the Gordon Armstrong Bentley, we recommend that we should, as soon as possible, design what is considered to be the optimum form of independent suspension for the front of this chassis, and with regard to the rest of the car, alter nothing but the frame. That the frame alterations should be confined to boxing in and stiffening where this can be introduced with the minimum disturbance to the existing pieces. That a cruciform member should not initially be considered. | ||