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).
Reviewing design aspects of a car's back axle, springs, body, and other components.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 183\M22\ img098 | |
| Date | 17th July 1920 | |
| To C.J. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} -2- R2/G17/7/20 Contd. steering wheel should have 3" plus 1/4" tolerance from the wind-screen. The bottom of the instrument board should be at least 20" from the floor. The instrument board should be 30" from front of back of seat - again refer to LeC. drawing 1254. (6) BACK AXLE. X.3545 ✓ The lower gear of the back axle with 15 instead of 16 teeth, has the feeling of being distinctly as low as is wise for an open car. I think it is highly advantageous for a large heavy car with big windage, but I am doubtful about a light open car. (7) ROAD SPRINGS. X.3931✓ X.1295- X.2628✓ The springing appeared to be distinctly worse than the split spring on 1 EX. and it appears decidedly worth while to test half split spring, i.e. less near the central fixing. There is a slight doubt in my mind whether the broken long plate was really caused by splitting the leaf, and if the flexibility is beneficial we might retain some of it. You will remember that tyres were afterwards found to be the chief cause of the less perfect steering. (8) STEERING. X.2791a✓ X.3741✓ This appears to be slightly better for the modification of set up springs in longitudinal tube and plain thrust washer on one steering pivot. We still await the result of the plain thrust on steering column. (9) BODY. X.2440✓ X.4152✓ X.393✓ Regarding the body and scuttle, the adaption of 7 CA. body was quite a failure, and the form of scuttle was decidedly bad. It suggests that Mr. Day should put a better draughtsman on this work and send to me the drawing, also adopt the plan I have preached and practiced of making a small scale model for appearance, and an inexpensive full size temporary body that can be tested before building and painting an expensive piece of work. We should also continue using a model of different builds of men on the drawing board, as was adopted in 1905 T.T. Why do we forget what we learn? (10) FLOORBOARDS (RE P's a OPEN TRIALS.) X.3922✓ X.3440✓ The front seats will be cooler and much nicer with cocoanut matting. I do not like metal for floorboard and step, although reeded it is still slippery one way, and does not remain in good condition long. Some special linoleum should be made standard. (Contd.) | ||