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).
The steering and braking of a Lambda Lancia car.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\N\July1925-September1925\ Scan225 | |
| Date | 12th June 1925 | |
| R.R. 493A (50 H) (D.D. 31, 12-6-25) J.H.D. EXPERIMENTAL REPORT. REF: Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rs{Sir Henry Royce's Secretary}2/LG10.9.25. Expl. No. C To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Sn.{Mr Sanderson} c. to CJ. BJ. c. to RG.{Mr Rowledge} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} EY. c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} LAMBDA LANCIA CAR. 44048 4457 While trying this car we noticed two points which we consider of special interest. (a) The steering was over 2.5" out of centre point. This car is fitted with front wheel brakes which are designed to do at least 50% of the total braking. The owner states that he can lock his front wheels on wet roads. The compensator between the front brakes is not so elaborate or efficient as those fitted to R-R cars. In spite of this it is possible to apply the brakes fiercely at 50 m.p.h. on a dry road without any tendency for the steering to take charge. In addition, it is possible to brake on a lock without any adverse effects being felt by the driver; it is possible to do this with the hands off the wheel, the car will continue on its original lock. We consider that this is a very good example of the benefits to be derived from pivots held rigidly in torsion. The Lancia construction obviates any possibility of the pivots taking a forward lean when the brakes are applied. They are thus able to use max. front braking with out of centre point steering and moderate compensation without running into trouble such as 'taking charge', and 'jaggers'. The advantage of getting away from centre point steering is that road shocks, in our experience, are reduced. contd:- | ||