Rolls-Royce Archives
         « Prev  Box Series  Next »        

Steering modifications on Mr. Gowen's Bentley.


Identifier  ExFiles\Box 106\5\  scan0202
Date  19th November 1936
  
S/W {Sales / Derby Works}
Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} ..from C.
C4/C19.11.36

Re STEERING ON THE BENTLEY (GOWEN)
Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 3/R17.11.36.

I note that you will be sending a special short pendulum lever to LH. {Mr Haworth} which will have the effect of reducing the steering ratio by 5%.

I think possibly this will be all that Mr.Gowen will require, because he is not so keen as all that on American steering - in fact you will notice he gets his American friends to try his Rolls-Royce as being a finer example of steering than they have on their American cars.

I do not think at this stage it is necessary to make any special alteration, unless there is something you are recommending, as I look upon Mr.Gowen as rather special in this respect. We do not generally have complaints of stiff steering on the Bentley.

I think the whole thing really is that Mr.Gowen uses his car as he does his Rolls-Royce and not as the ordinary Bentley owner uses his car.

I note that you would like Hancock also to carry out an examination and make certain adjustments to Mr.Gowen's car, and no doubt you will give him the necessary instructions.

I have already written Mr.Gowen suggesting he should send the car to you at Derby; I will however, write and ask him to send it to Lillie Hall as soon as I hear that they have received the new pendulum lever.

C.
  
  
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).


Copyright Sustain 2026, All Rights Reserved.    whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble
An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙