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 complaints about the riding qualities of Phantom II and 25 HP models, focusing on suspension issues.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\U\May1930-July1930\ Scan043 | |
| Date | 23th May 1930 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} c.c. to Cg. WGT. c.c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c.c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} CY. c.c. to PN.{Mr Northey} ZP. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} 2/SJ. 23.5.30. X4117 X7410 X5410 X7520 X5520 RIDING QUALITIES PHANTOM II & 25 HP. With reference to R.1/19.5.30. Attached is a list of Phantom II springing complaints in customers' hands. Twenty-one are complaints of hitting the buffers, and these have been dealt with so far by increasing the rear spring poundage. Of the remaining fifteen, in three case the springs can definitely be said to be too weak. Therefore, of the Phantom II complaints so far in 60% of the cases we have erred by fitting too flexible springs and in no case so far have we felt justified in decreasing the poundage. The type of complaint we do not know how to deal with is No.13 "Hitting the buffers and dithers". Nos. 18, 19, 20, 21, and 25 are of the same type. "Dithers" is the expression used by the customer who does not know how to classify his impressions, and may mean "pitching" or poor low speed riding. Our rear springs are now such that when four people get in the car the buffer clearance decreases by 1.250". Thus if we spring for a buffer clearance of 3.75" with three passengers, the addition of a a fourth person and luggage brings us to bumping on the buffers. If we have to rely on | ||