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).
Seating positions, dimensions, and adjustments for different driver types.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 17\3\ Scan396 | |
Date | 29th May 1930 | |
X7430 C. from Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}&Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}3/M29.5.30. SEATING POSITIONS. X. 7430 X. 5430 X. 7470. X. 5470. It was demonstrated at a conference at WW. yesterday that the driven seats of our experimental cars are nearly always not to the standard RR. dimensions and angles of slope. The slope of the rear squab is nearly always greater than that we demand, the slope of the cushion greater, and the distance of the cushion below the steering wheel too great. Some of this is due to the settling of the cushions and squabs in use, and we recommend that it be pointed out to the coachbuilders that the dimensions of the cushion and squab from the wheel should be about 1" under size when the car is new to allow for this. (1) CUSTOMERS' CARS. When supplying a car to a customer it is nearly always possible for the coachbuilder to make the seat so that he will sit in the correct position relative to the steering wheel. When this is done in the case of short legged drivers it is often found that the driver cannot reach the pedals. R.{Sir Henry Royce} has agreed to our trying some pedals with adjustable stems. We think that with this adjustment it should be possible to make any reasonable size of driver comfortable. (2) CARS FOR COLLECTIVE USE. The problem of building a car which may be driven by a number of people of varying sizes is a difficult one. It applies to experimental cars, trials cars, and stock cars. We believe that our standard position of cushion and squab, and wheel and pedal positions, are the best compromise for a standard. The wheel to pedal stems will overcome this. It is always our policy to build our experimental cars so that it is reasonably possible for the tallest members of the Co. to drive, for instance, R.{Sir Henry Royce} PN.{Mr Northey} Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Hr., and to reckon on the shorter members having to use packing under the cushions, and extra cushions at the back. For the tallest men the base of wheel to pedal dimension could be increased for the shortest it could be diminished. Since it is inadvisable to attempt an adjustable length of steering column for technical reasons the adjustment is provided in the pedal stem. Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||