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).
Continued report discussing braking, suspension systems, and riding comfort with references to Dubonnet and Lancia cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179b\2\ img086 | |
| Date | 10th November 1932 | |
| -2- Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}6/MJ.10.11.32. Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} braking which is demanded nowadays our front axle control is hardly good enough because the front springs bend under compression. Therefore another point we are looking forward to on the separate wheel suspension is a more positive axle control. Another feature which we think should be considered is variable rating front springs. On the Dubonnet the rating of the front springs was very low, approximately the same as the rear, and the riding of the car was astonishingly good. The mechanics of their arrangement allows for increase of rating with increase in deflection. The Lancia you will remember which we still look upon as one of the best examples of front springing as regards results on the road, had a variable rating of front springing. Another feature is of course any improvement in steering lock is tremendously valuable. The demand for improved riding is always going to be with us. We believe now that we can see our way through with controllable dampers which will carry us on for a time, but in considering 'SpectreCodename for Phantom III' we ought to be looking forward to the next move beyond controllable dampers. The short run we had on the Dubonnet car was very impressive - it is by far the most comfortable car I have ridden in. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||