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).
Design options for the Bentley steering wheel and controls, comparing Bluemell and Dover constructions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 178\3\ img280 | |
| Date | 16th July 1932 | |
| FROM DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} C. to [REDACTED] DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/M.16.7.32. BENTLEY STEERING WHEEL & CONTROLS. We send herewith N. sch. 3505. showing the spring steering wheel and control head for Bensport. With respect to the spring steering wheel we shew a Bluemell dished wheel as was fitted on the late Bentley cars, and also a similar wheel using the Dover construction. A tracing of both these wheels has been sent to the respective firms for their views, but we are inclined to think that since the Bluemell wheel was a characteristic feature of the Bentley car, and it does give us the dishing that Dover's may not agree to, this will be the wheel we should use. The interior of the control mechanism and the switch is exactly the same as that on J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} ..., but the exterior has been made to conform to the Bentley wheel appearance. It will be noticed however that the whole of the control unit has been lowered considerably. We shew a method of attaching the ball end to the levers which we would like you to try. We think that the two halves of the ball may either spigot round the lever or alternatively, if preferred, the screw may spigot into the xx hole in the lever. Alternatively, we should consider, we think, still further retaining the Bentley appearance by using chromium plated knobs to the levers, and a chromium plated cap to the switch button, and we shew this alternative. We think you should make up a sample wheel head for us to look at, having both chromium plated knobs, and black ones. We might also have to look at knobs .375 in dia. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||