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).
Front springing and shock absorbers to improve ride comfort for a client.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 67a\2\ scan0013 | |
| Date | 25th June 1927 | |
| S/W. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Y8410 CWB1/GM/25-6-27. 103-MC. SPRINGING. The front springs of this car are at present 1156 and 1215 and the car is fitted with an early set of hydraulic shock absorbers which are presumably set to about 40 lbs against spring deflection and 80 lbs on the rebound. We have a client who will certainly purchase a Rolls-Royce car providing we can carry him without damage and in reasonable comfort over a certain very bad stretch of road at 35 to 40 m.p.h. At present this car will not do this. It will not reach 35 m.p.h. without severe crashing on the front buffers, although it has been found to be very satisfactory for high speed work over even poor French roads and in Germany. We know that the Lancia Lambda will do what is required and also the Franklin which I myself tested over this road a day or so ago, the springing of which is quite remarkable from the degree of absence of bumping. It is sprung on double elliptics fore and aft with snubbers in front only. Do you think we have any reasonable prospect of satisfying this client with special front springs and also with front shock absorbers which are loaded to a greater poundage and probably loaded to the same maximum poundage in [strikethrough]which[/strikethrough] direction. We already have suggestions regarding springs for Australia of 15% stronger and I know you have made many experiments with 10-EX as regards special springing, particularly in front? [Handwritten in margin: Each] Would you therefore please consider this question and if you are able to recommend any combination of front springing and shock absorbers which [strikethrough]will[/strikethrough] have a reasonable prospect of fulfilling our needs would you instruct that these springs and shock absorbers, if necessary, be prepared and forwarded to Cricklewood advising me so that I may arrange for the car to attend at once to have them fitted. For your information, the rear springs of this car are 1790 and 1840 and the weight unloaded is,- front 1 ton 3 cwt. rear 1 ton 3 cwt. 2 qrs. CWB. | ||