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).
Steering modifications and wheel trials for a customer's vehicle, GAE-19.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 107\3\ scan0026 | |
| Date | 25th April 1935 | |
| S/W...BY/Cgh.{W Clough} -> c. to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} C17/C25.4.35 Re MR. A.Y.GOWAN. By/Cgh{W Clough}21/G18.4.35 We note that you have definitely decided that the shorter pendulum lever fitted on GAE-19 does not help the question of the lighter steering but that this is all obtained by the spring pressure on the side and cross steering ball joints and the use of lighter oil. We will accordingly in due course instruct this for Mr.Gowan's chassis. We note that you could fit a Phantom steering wheel which is 1" larger and we will also instruct this in due course. In regard to the smaller diameter road wheels we note that these require special brackets, etc. and that these features have not yet been through the 15,000 miles trial. We are afraid, in the circumstances, we shall have to persuade Mr. Gowan to accept the standard wheels. Special attention must be paid to the steering of this car because he is very particular about it, and as mentioned in my previous memo. had turned down the 20/25 h.p. R-R on account of the stiff steering as compared with his American car until he tried GAE-19. Will Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} please let me know when the car is going to start the 15,000 miles with the smaller wheels. C. | ||