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).
Phantom ride quality issues, comparing English and American road conditions and discussing spring modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 43\2\ Scan093 | |
| Date | 8th February 1926 | |
| Oy3-E-2826 -2- February 8, 1926 Our impression was that it would be pretty good on English roads which do not have the "Marcel wave" (due to frost and heat) of our roads. Our experience on Phantoms brought here by owners is that on first running the car on American roads, they immediately suspect that R.R.Ltd. have fitted stiffer rear springs before shipping the car across the Atlantic. The difference actually of course is in the roads. We are already having quite a struggle to satisfy owners with the riding of several Phantoms in New York. 5" Front Axle. We have found the 5" front axle responsible for stiffening the front springs 100 lb. (see report to By). Woodhead told me he had not been informed that the front axle had been widened (I know he is not now supplying the springs). He said, if he had known this he would have modified the springs to suit. Experience on Phantoms. We have not much actual experience on these cars yet but our impression is that riding is particularly bad in the rear seat. Under such conditions we nearly always suspect the front springs. We find the rear springs can be changed 200 lbs. (say from 1900 to 2100) to suit particular conditions or ideas of the owner without bad effects. But 50 lbs. change in the front springs can be detected in the rear seat instantly. In any case it is easy to separate the effects of front and rear springs when riding in the rear seat, as the front springs have a rather quick period (about 2 swings per second) while rear spring movement is much slower (about 1-1/6 swings per second). We have no hesitation after the tests on 12-MC in saying that the Phantom trouble is at least 75% in the front suspension. Indicating instruments. Results of tests made by the Mack riding quality experts are contained in attached copy of report with blue prints. Two instruments are available for measuring riding quality, each of | ||