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).
With observations on Bensport steering column controls, specifically the dipping device and mixture control.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 178\3\ img287 | |
| Date | 21th July 1932 | |
| M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} FROM DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} C. to SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} WCR. R.{Sir Henry Royce} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} EH DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/M21.7.32. BENSPORT - STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS. With reference to N. sch. 3505. and MSZ/J1677. steering column controls on Bensport adapted from those of J.X. shewn on N. sch. 3394., we make the following observations: (1) The hand control dipping device cannot be abandoned on this car as suggested by HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}, as there is no place for a foot switch. Moreover SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} has asked for hand control. The dipping control lever should have no spring or teeth, therefore the control lever can be screwed directly to the central barrel and the lever carrying the spring and the pin can be dispensed with. We would be glad if SY. would deal with this item. (2) We note that with the SU carburetter the mixture control is used only for starting - that is to say - there are two positions of 'starting' and 'running'. There are two possible positions for this control - (a) the instrument board, (b) the steering column. Of the 2 positions we think that the steering column is by far the cheaper and easier to deal with. Bentley's put this control on their steering column. On the steering column the extra control merely calls for an extra tube and lever, whereas the control on the instrument board calls for a special control fitting with lever and quadrant, rotational shafts with spherical bearings, and telescopic bayonet attachments to permit of the coachbuilder erecting the same, as well as controls down the dashboard. We much prefer therefore the lever control of the mixture - or rather the starting mixture - to be on the steering column. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||