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).
Sir Robert Hadfield's car springing issues, recommending fitting Hartfords due to a top-heavy body.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 16\4\ Scan182 | |
| Date | 23th September 1930 | |
| Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn{Mr Robinson} c. WOr.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} 87520. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/ams/AD23.9.30. 44117 x7520 SIR ROBERT HADFIELD. We understand that a number of efforts have been made to satisfy Sir Robert Hadfield with regard to the springing of his car without success. The car was at the Works today and we tried it. We asked the chauffeur to drive as he normally does. From the results we should say that the car is always driven as fast as conditions will permit. Being fitted with a heavy body and some times having a running load of well over three tons, the main trouble appears to be lack of damping. This is accentuated by the fact that the body is top heavy, and in consequence sways on corners. We are assured by the chauffeur that the car is never driven slowly except in London traffic. In the circumstances we suggest this car is treated in the same way as the late Sir Henry Segraves, i.e. Hartfords are fitted to the front and rear in addition to the hydraulics. We prefer this to increasing the load on the hydraulics because - (1) With a body of this type it is doubtful whether the hydraulics will be able to stand up to the loads required. (2) The Hartfords are very easy to slack off when the car is to be used for town work. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} | ||