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).
Providing feedback on a vehicle's features, including the dash layout, steering wheel, controls, and spark plugs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\6\ 06-page083 | |
| Date | 6th November 1935 guessed | |
| -4- I found it an enormous advantage to have an arrangement on the dash such as that on the Mercedes which allows the brakes to be taken up while the car is actually under way. I have always thought that the Alfa has the most wonderful look of any car that I have ever driven, but my impression was that the look of the Bentley was every bit as good; a most important point when negotiating foreign roads. The steering wheel is rather on the small side, and somewhat thick. We show you what I mean, if the car were mine I should fit one of the Ashby Brooklands type wheel, or something of that nature. The particular wheel I mean is a very good one; the rim is very thin and made of a rubber composition and the wheel is flexible in all directions. It seemed to me that there were rather an unnecessary number of controls on the steering wheel. I could not see any particular reason for the strangler for starting purposes being brought to the top of the steering column; it is, of course, a matter of opinion whether it is best to have the dimming in that position, but it does take one's hand off the rim of the wheel in order to operate it. I, personally, much prefer a foot pedal which leaves both hands free to negotiate corners, at the same time the lights are being dimmed. When the car came round I could not find any spare plugs and I rather fancy I must have surprised the Rolls-Royce firm by enquiring whether any were available as I had not got any by me till: The firm was really quite right when they pointed out that it was quite unnecessary to have any spare plugs. The plugs gave no trouble at all, and I was unable to make them overheat. I do not know what particular number of K.L.G. is fitted to the car, but they were certainly very good. The plugs are, however, in a position where it would be somewhat difficult to get at them, if it were desired to change. P.T.O. | ||