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).
Letter discussing vehicle frame stiffness, component mounting, and competitor car performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 170\2\ img031 | |
| Date | 3rd April 1931 guessed | |
| M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Olley Esq. -3- Having been defeated with regard to stiffness, we say that we have proved that we get the best results if we have limited movement in the absence of rigidity and this movement must be damped. Starting with the radiator, this is mounted so that its inertia can be used to damp the frame when it tries to vibrate torsionally. The same with the engine the same with the body. We do not know exactly the best way of mounting each of these components yet but it is the only method that has given us any real meat so far. We are still feeling that the fundamental criminal is the front axle but it has resisted all endeavours to alter its characteristics. I hope you are continuing to get as much amusement out of your job as we get out of our cars here. May I suggest that if you get a chance you try the new 8-litre Bentley which impressed me more than any 8, 12 or 16 cylinder car I have so far tried. This is the only car that I know of which can do 100 m.p.h. on Brooklands track against the clock with a comfortable closed 4 seater saloon body having sensible wings and lamps and other necessary equipment. It is combined with better acceleration than the V.16 I recently had a run on. I think that the latest Buick, the 8.90 is a remarkably good car and does General Motors credit for the silent? 2nd speed and the suspension and road holding. Kind regards, Yours very sincerely, | ||