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).
Issues with step irons on various car models and proposing design improvements.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 14\8\ Scan025 | |
| Date | 11th March 1927 | |
| 47380 To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} C. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} LHS.{Lord Herbert Scott} PN.{Mr Northey} SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}2/M11.3.27. RE. STEP IRONS. X.8380 X.5380 X.7380 20 HP. The 20 HP. stepirons have always been considered by the coachbuilders to be too flexible. We do not know of any failures in service or on test. This may be due to the fact that on this car the battery is always carried in the chassis frame. SEE ORIGINAL FOR SKETCH. We propose setting out some stronger stepirons with a section (2). 40/50 HP. From time to time we have experienced fractures of the 40/50 stepirons in service abroad. We find that with the exception of the forward one the stepirons on the present car are those of the early Silver Ghost - F.70178 - thus - SEE ORIGINAL FOR SKETCH. On N.sch.1838 and 1310 we set out some stiffer ones with bolts nearer the frame flanges - thus - SEE ORIGINAL FOR SKETCH. We do not recollect these being fitted as only one car was built. They were not apparently incorporated on the Phantom (EAC.6.) Your car 7-EX will have therefore the original irons - fig.(1). For EAC.7. we have instructed stepirons still stiffer - thus - SEE ORIGINAL FOR SKETCH. We will set out some similar ones for Phantom for test. Although our official instructions are to carry the battery on the step as far to the rear as possible, as on 7-EX, this is not done by our leading coachbuilders, who put it in the chassis frame, thus relieving the step of its chief load. When it is on the step they fit a reinforcing stay. We propose suggesting a scheme for battery in the frame as we consider that this, together with stiffer step-irons (fig.5.) will make the job right. An extra stepiron on the short chassis has been asked for by Sales and is often | ||