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).
How to trial a shortened 'D' steering column on a Phantom by using blocks on the pedals.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 17\3\ Scan158 | |
| Date | 1st July 1927 | |
| +7+30 To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} C. to EY. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rml/LGS.7.27. RE. SHORTENED 'D' COLUMN. 482430 With reference to Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}8/M6.7.27. We have no car upon which we could fit this shortened column. We cannot fit it on 14-EX because this is very different from a standard car. The simplest method of ascertaining the effect of the shortened column is to put 1½" blocks on the pedals of a Phantom with a standard 'D' column. The steering wheel will be 1½" out relative to the gear levers and screen but we have already experienced what effect this produces on 12-EX which has been tried by both Sales and Derby. If the results of the trial with the blocks on the pedals were satisfactory, we could consider the means of running the column 10,000 miles. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||