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 from Maurice Olley discussing vehicle riding quality, specifically pitching speed and the effect of mass distribution on the 20 HP and Phantom models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 67a\2\ scan0072 | |
| Date | 16th December 1927 | |
| ROLLS-ROYCE OF AMERICA, INC. SPRINGFIELD, MASS. [Handwritten Number]: x8410 [Handwritten Initials]: Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [Handwritten Initial]: W [Stamp]: RECEIVED DEC 23 1927 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [Stamp]: POST 28 XII 1927 OY1.R.12.16.27 December 16th, 1927. Mr. Robotham, Rolls Royce Ltd., Derby, England. Dear Mr. Robotham: RIDING QUALITY Many thanks for your personal note of December 2nd, and copy of report Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/LG.2.12.27. If you should care to apply the calculations of Rowell's paper, you will find I believe a complete explanation of the much lower pitching speed of the 20 HP with front springs of a given stiffness-rating. With passengers in the rear seats you would probably find the center of oscillation in pitching so close to the rear seat that the rear passengers were practically unaffected by front movements. I imagine that the result will be a determined effort to get the masses away from the center of the Phantom and towards the ends, both spare wheels at the back, flywheel starter with battery in front mudguard, tool-box between the front horns a la{L. A. Archer} Minerva, etc. Yours very truly, [Signature] Maurice Olley MO/R | ||