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).
Layout of the Buick 'Century' model and comparing its wheel geometry with existing independent suspension designs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 124\3\ scan0404 | |
| Date | 13th August 1936 | |
| X1049 To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} From Ha/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Ha/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}9/MJ.13.8.36. LAY-OUT OF THE BUICK 'CENTURY' MODEL. I was so impressed with the steering and cornering ability of the Buick 'Century' Model which I tried some little time ago that I wrote to America to see if I could get particulars of the road wheel geometry on this car. I am sending you herewith four drawings which give you complete particulars of the parts in question and also a list comparing the figures we have obtained from these drawings with existing designs of R.R. independent suspension. The general impression we get from these drawings is as follows - (1) The Buick drawings confirm that we are approximately right with the angular movement of the centre of the wheel plane on the Wraith if we take the 'Century' figures as being the best that has so far been tried. (2) But if the Buick find it necessary to keep down to this figure to avoid road shocks then it is not surprising that we get a lot of steering reaction from the Phantom 111 wheel disposition. (3) In order to get self-centreing we may require more pivot caster on the Wraith and on the new PhantomCodename for PHANTOM I 111 schemes and we also may require more pivot camber on the new PhantomCodename for PHANTOM I 111 schemes. The Buick figures may give us an explanation of how to retain self centre and direction stability without running into steering shocks. We recommend that they should be adhered to as closely as [redacted] when laying out, the Bentley suspension. Ha/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||