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).
Secret axle control on the 12-EX model, a new sports car, and potential steering improvements.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 70\1\ scan0143 | |
| Date | 22th July 1927 | |
| To OY. from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} X8774 X8430 X8774 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}5/LG22.7.27. Thank you for your note of the 20th. The axle control on 12-EX is ofcourse secret but we do not think it should be noticed by anybody if reasonable precautions are taken not to advertise it. If you have an opportunity of calling at Derby before you go away, the sports car is now finished and would be available for a run. This car has got the friction in the column fitted which we find gives remarkably good results. With reference to the steering. It may be of interest to know that we can detect no drop in efficiency of the 940 or the 720 nuts up to loads of 3300 lbs. on the worm which we think is about as much as will ever be obtained 'parking'. Under these loads however, the oil of course could be washed out by slow movement. R.{Sir Henry Royce} has given us a .9 lead worm - 2.1" dia. We think XXXX this will prove an advance. Cannot you alleviate the present steering crisis in America by gearing down with a shortened pendulum lever? YOURS SINCERELY, Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||