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).
'Marles' steering gear for all cars, including a customer's letter comparing it to previous steering systems.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 153\2\ scan0238 | |
| Date | 10th February 1937 | |
| SECRET. 1300 S/W {Sales / Derby Works} To Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Sg. {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} re Steering Gears - All Cars. Sg {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} 2/E10.2.37 Referring to Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /FJH {Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} 3/R.1.2.37 and the approval given yesterday to the recommendation that we should go for the Marles steering on the Bentley III, I saw a letter this morning from Mr.McFarlane, who owned a Bentley and who now owns a 25/30 with Marles steering. He criticizes the latter in comparison with the Bentley. The following is an extract from his letter: 'Then, as to the steering, the type fitted to my car is, I think, the "Marles" type. At first I did not like it at all, but I decided to say nothing and see whether it was not just a matter of getting used to a slightly different steering action than in my previous Rolls and Bentley. Although the first unsatisfactory reaction has died away to a considerable extent, I still dislike the type of steering on my present car. The best type of steering I have ever had was undoubtedly that on the Bentley. One could run the car to within a hair's breadth of anything, even at high speed, without the slightest feeling of insecurity, but with the steering fitted to my present car, even at a speed of little over 40 miles per hour, there is a wandering [struck through] tendency which is not exactly comfortable.' What I should like to be assured about is that by going for the Marles steering on Bentley III, we shall not lose any of the beauties of the Bentley steering of to-day, in particular its selectivity. Sg. {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||