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).
Relative merits of wooden versus wire wheels based on customer feedback and recent events.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 4\4\ 04-page12 | |
| Date | 8th January 1912 | |
| Ref. 91(N11) X424 Mr Cowen 8/1/12. TBB7/18112. I send you herewith copy of minute 17 of the 91st meeting. Mr Nadin read a letter from Mr Cowen as follows :- "no doubt you have seen Baroness Campbell's article in the "Car" current number on a recent tour with two R.R. cars on the Continent. Also the comparative tests of wooden and wire wheels as to the strain taken from a side blow. In view of the Sussex accident and recent news-paper correspondence, ought not the P.C. to further consider this question? The following points have been raised by customers on more than one occasion. 1. lightness of wire wheels on tyres. 2. Comparative resistance against side strain. One customer from Newfoundland says that the wire wheels in conjunction with general strength of chassis, saved his life in a recent unavoidable accident (Reid) 3. Unsuitability of wooden wheels in tropical climates. If we are to send many cars to India, this should be considered. 4. Customers often ask why, if we are against wire wheels, we pinned our faith to them on such an important thing as the London-Edinburgh trial. | ||