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).
Reasons for not fitting or recommending Rapson tyres.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 180\M2\M2.4\ img009 | |
| Date | 16th December 1920 | |
| Col. HARKER. SCHOOL RAPSON TYRES 2 To H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} from Ho/TMM. c. to CJ. c. to AN. c. to L. c. to N. c. to FN. c. to O.{Mr Oldham} c. to KWT. for R.R.Inc. c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to HT. ORIGINAL RECEIVED EFO DEC 17 1920 42 030 O/EFO/4/LG16.12.20. RECEIVED. X.1238 MR. RAPSON TYRES. We understand from EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} that at the Conference held at the Midland Hotel, Derby on the 14th.inst., Sales requested some points from Experimental Dept. about the above tyres so that they could give Customers reasons for not fitting or recommending them. We therefore beg to give the following information:- X.200 1. The Rapson tyre fitted to a Dunlop wheel weighs 102 lbs. compared with 79 lbs. for the Dunlop magnum. 2. The trade price of a complete Rapson Tyre is approx: £28 compared with approx: £15 for the Dunlop magnum. 3. The steering is made heavier and it is difficult to keep the Car straight especially at high speeds, when it could be conceivably dangerous in unskilled hands. This is really caused, we think, by the back part of the car moving sideways on steering the car. 4. The effect on the rear is to give an unstable sensation. 5. They are not sufficiently resilient and vibration can be felt throughout the whole car. It has been suggested, we believe, that by taking out the Reflector Plate, these troubles disappear; but doing this, we think, destroys the most prominent feature of the tyre. We handed a set of these tyres over to Col. Harker for use on the School Car and he confirms these complaints. They have worn very well and given no trouble and we think that Contd. | ||