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).
Issues and a proposed solution for the set-in side levers on the P.2 and 20/25.HP models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 6\5\ 05-page57 | |
| Date | 20th April 1931 | |
| CONFIDENTIAL. X 582 TO HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} FROM EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} 3VI/20.4.31. X582 RE SET-IN SIDE LEVERS, P.2. and 20/25.HP. We thank you for the memos on the above subject which we are returning herewith. This is the first we have heard of Sales objection to the scheme as we have not had any of the memos, the idea being that we are to be kept out of such matters at all costs. The whole of what Sales say is utter tosh. This largely because they have no-one now who goes up to explain such matters to them as I used to do once a fortnight. The history is this. There is never much clearance between the knuckles and the screen pillar when using the hand brake lever. This is worse now than on the old pre-subframe type levers as with the knob release for the ratchet, the knuckles must be outwards. On the 20/25, this is particularly bad even when the normal width of front seat is used, if the customer wishes to have a straight scuttle without a bulge. This point has been raised by H.P.I.A. and also Paris. Then case also arose on 26.EX. The levers fitted are the logical solution. The position of the gear lever is unaltered. The brake lever, instead of going on in an outward direction after the knob of the gear lever has been passed, turns to the upright or leans slightly inwards. The driving leg freedom is unchanged, but about 1.000ins. more clearance is given between the knuckles and the screen pillar. Some of this comes from the fact that the back of the hand is more or less paralell with the inside of the pillar. Since there is no scrapping of material we suggested that all chassis would benifit by the use of such levers as soon as possible and we still think so inspite of Sales remarks. As for the coachbuilders, it was both Barkers and Park Ward who discussed it with me and have so bent some levers with my permission. Now that I have no longer anything to do with Coachwork, it would appear that we should have some person to do what I used to do, but from Derby as Sales have no-one who can be relied upon in these matters. I propose discussing the question with R.{Sir Henry Royce} when he returns, and then with Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} [Diagram Annotations] SUGGESTED LEVER STD LEVER | ||