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).
Customer complaint regarding heavy steering on a chassis 3-AZ-96, comparing it unfavorably to a Mercedes.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 96\1\ scan0146 | |
Date | 6th July 1937 | |
361 S-W. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} C. to Br.{T. E. Bellringer - Repair Manager}---- H15/RH.{R. Hollingworth}6.7.37. re Count Haugwitz Reventlow - Chassis 3-AZ-96 In view of certain early complaints and criticisms on the above car we wrote recently to Mr.Bryan of Thrupp & Maberly's, who generally deals personally with the above owner, to know whether the car was now giving him satisfaction. Mr.Bryan replies that he is really very satisfied indeed with the car, with the exception of the steering, and he encloses a letter he has received from Count Haugwitz Reventlow of which we give you the following extract:- "I am afraid the steering of this particular car is unworthy of a car in that price class. When I change over from my Mercedes to the Rolls it is a real come down as regards steering. Rolls can make better steering and this is proved by the fact that the steering on the car of my wife, which is also a Phantom III, is better although not so good as the Mercedes. What I mean is that the steering drags and it is a dead weight against the hand to steering the car. "It is difficult to describe exactly what is the matter, but it is either the angle of the wheels or something in the steering devices which is wrong or in a wrong position. We had the car jacked up and used the one shot lubrication and subsequently we turned the steering wheel right and left in order to enable the grease to get to all the parts of the steering system. Therefore, I do not think it is the result of lack of lubrication in any of the moving parts, as this made no change whatsoever.." We hope to get the car in to Cricklewood shortly and while we do not feel there should be any difficulty in making the Count's steering as good as that of the Countess's car, No.3-BU-200, we expect he will always notice some difference between our steering and that of a Mercedes. Do you know what is the feature of the Mercedes' steering which causes his having to describe our steering as "dragging" and as being a "dead weight".? H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} | ||