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).
Modifications to the 'C' steering system to improve body space and comfort.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\V\October1930-February1931\ Scan012 | |
| Date | 10th October 1930 | |
| SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} FROM DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} C. to HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} CX.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} 'C' STEERING - P. 2. ORIGINAL We have always criticised C. steering P. 2. on the grounds that the wheel projects very much above the waist line of the body. The value of this steering lies in the fact that it gives us a maximum body space for our biggest cars. Some long while ago we devised a revised C. steering setting out on N. sch. 2993. which shews it in conjunction with a 6 seater Pu[l]lmann limousine. The steering wheel is dropped 1.500", and in so doing travels back .750" in order to retain the same distance - pedals to bottom of wheel. This suggestion was turned down by Sales on the grounds that they could not afford to lose .750" in the body space, and they did not want to take it out of the room in the driving seat. We have since tried 25-EX. which is a 6 seater E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} steering, which is extremely comfortable and has been much admired. This car has a "wheel to compressed squab dimension" of 15", which is 1" less than our standard, and yet the front seat is said to be very comfortable. If we could use this revised C. column with a "wheel to compressed squab dimension" of 15" we should have the same (or rather .125" more) room in the rear of the body as with our present C. steering. We think this is a very important point and would be glad if Sales would reconsider the matter, and at the same time if Derby would say whether it is too late to think of it for N. 2. series. We believe the column length has been unaltered. In the meantime we think it would be of great value if HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} could take a C. steering car, such as 20 or 22-EX., and fit up experimentally such a column, leaving the squab unchanged, but lowering the seat so that there is 9" between the compressed cushion and the underside of the wheel. We think that Sales might like to try this seat before making a decision and therefore it would be useful if the experimental car could be got ready shortly. [Handwritten annotation] This would enable us on N.2. series with the universal subframe to give 48" headroom and lower "6" the car. The lower the people sit in the frame the better the riding will be. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||