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).
Comparative analysis of competitor steering linkage and petrol tank designs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 127\1\ scan0246 | |
| Date | 20th December 1935 | |
| -4- Sft{Mr Swift}/Sct1/BH.20.12.35. LINKAGE BETWEEN STEERING COLUMN & ROAD WHEELS. This is effected by tubular rods, connected at suitable points to ball end pins. The end pieces, unlike ours which are brazed, and those which are not brazed are securely locked, appear to be screwed on to the ends of the tubes. The tube ends themselves are saw cut for a short distance and then when the ball end casing is screwed in and the correct length obtained, its fixing is maintained by means of a clamping ring and bolt. This simple method of steering rod attachment is in striking contrast to our own, and if considered safe, a point upon which we are apprehensive, a considerable reduction in costs would ensue if adopted in place on our present design. PETROL TANK. This unit is staggering in its simplicity of construction as compared with our own, and without doubt made in the cheapest possible way, and would cost approximately 80% less than Rolls-Royce. Of smaller capacity than the R.R. tank, it is made in two halves of thin tinned sheet 20 SWG. Each half is a tray like pressing, the edges or faces of the trays are brought together and sweated or welded. The filler cap, we have not seen, but we doubt if it costs a tenth part of the Rolls-Royce hinged cap type. It was with some difficulty that we located the drain plug. Expecting to find a reasonably sized hexagon plug, we found instead a small plug similar to that used by a plumber to stop up an unwanted hole in a gas bracket. The means by which the tank is fastened in the frame is, we are sure, very nearly the last word in crudity, Two hoop iron strips form a cradle in which the tank rests. The strips at one end are bent over to form a hook, the hooks being then inserted into slots in a cross-member. The other ends of the strips are formed over special bolts or end pieces, these end pieces passing through holes in the frame. The fixing of the tank in position would only be a matter of a few minutes with this method. | ||