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).
Customer's 25 HP car which was hopelessly unstable due to special low-rating springs and standard shock-absorbers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\3\ Scan104 | |
| Date | 24th June 1931 | |
| YU F19 S/N. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}..from PH. Copy to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} C. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} RECEIVED 18 JUN 1931 PN.{Mr Northey}12/WT24.6.31. GOS-59. Ferrell. It appears that this customer, having indicated that he was particular about the springing of his new 25 H.P. R.R. as he habitually used one of the arterial roads having an undulating surface, when running fast, a set of springs of the low-rating type was sent to Park Ward who have made the body, with a view to meeting this customer's requirements. JLE.{J. Lee Evans - Chassis Test Manager} on testing this car with Mr. Ward asked my assistance in connection with the test, and I came to the conclusion that I was never on any car which was capable of getting so hopelessly out of control at moderate speeds, arising out of the use of these special springs, with the standard shock-absorbers fitted to the chassis. JLE.{J. Lee Evans - Chassis Test Manager} explained this on the 'phone to Derby (I think Mr Ex) who suggested sending a specially adjusted set of shock-absorbers in order to deal with this unstable condition. I therefore decided in view of the urgency of the earliest possible delivery of the car to the owner that these special shock-absorbers should be fitted early the following morning if possible, and I would then make a further test. This was done, but on my further test with JLE.{J. Lee Evans - Chassis Test Manager} I still found the car hopelessly unstable, apparently entirely due to inadequate spring damping. It was not possible to drive at any speed or on any curve, or to decelerate without giving the impression of the greatest instability. I am feeling especially concerned about this incident in view of the proposition to fit such springs from time to time in certain cases which arise, and if the result was of the nature of that described above, obviously we should be doing a very foolish thing. | ||