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).
Chassis flexibility, steering column support, and ideas for a future sports car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 12\3\ X704-0101 | |
| Date | 17th March 1928 guessed | |
| contd : - -2- It will be realised that my sketch shews one flexibility due to trusting to the dashboard not to bend in plan where left hand stay is distant from left hand dash stay. We ought to get the chassis right without depend- ing on the scuttle. If we bolt the scuttle to the dash, how do we allow for frame deflection: but perhaps it is very little. There is no doubt the original scheme was very defective because the stays were pulling against an ill- supported dash, and actually the steering column was causing bonnet knocks. I am surprised that the defective support of the steering column was not noticed before it left Derby. It seems so manifest on these rough roads, and made me ask why. At St.{Capt. P. R. Strong} Raphael yesterday I saw a beautiful little Bugatti 8-cyl. sports that seemed well fitted. It had cycle mudguards. Ought we to have one to see how the engine runs above the critical speed? It suggested to me that we might, for a show, polish the work around the front axle, and cadmium plate it. I would very much like to see a very smart kind of sports car on our standxx at next Olympia. Don't forget we must lower the controls on the steering wheel. I await DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EVS practical and elegant design. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||