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 Rolls-Royce America regarding the use of Truffault shock absorbers on sports cars to address front-wheel wobble and for high-speed use.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\2\ Scan090 | |
| Date | 12th April 1928 | |
| + 762 Rolls-Royce America Inc., Springfield, Mass. April 12th. 1928. Na{Mr Nadin}5/B41228. Att. Mr. Hives. c. to Mr. Bailey. Mr. Basil Johnson, Rolls-Royce Ltd., 14-15 Conduit St.{Capt. P. R. Strong}, London, England. +457 +235 RE. SHOCK ABSORBERS ON SPORTS CARS. Dear Sir, We notice that you fitted the Sports #1 with Truffault shock absorbers in addition to the std. hydraulics. We wish to ask whether the Truffault were fitted to eliminate the possibility of front wheel wobble, or whether they were merely to prevent bouncing. We are still troubled occasionally with front wheel wobble, traced in most cases to running the car with the front tyre pressure in the neighbourhood of 30#. We should be glad to hear as to whether you find any trouble due to this case. As regards the cars for high speed work, we have a number of customers who want fast cars, and are fitted 16 tooth pinions and light bodies to suit these demands. We have thought it advisable to fit Truffault absorbers, in the same way that you fitted them to the sports car, where high speeds may be anticipated. We should be glad to hear your views on this and should be glad if Mr. Bailey will be good enough to forward an arrangement and details shewing the fitting of the Truffault absorbers to our car. Yours faithfully, Thos. Nadin. ROLLS ROYCE OF AMERICA INC. | ||