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).
Letter discussing steering improvements, comparing US and UK conditions, and potential modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154\3\ scan0022 | |
| Date | 5th July 1927 | |
| BJ5/E5/7/27 5th July 1927 Dear Fuller, Further to your cable of the 22nd June concerning steering on 18-LF, I have now received the following report from Mr.Hives: 'As we pointed out in our memo. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/LG23627 we 'consider an immediate improvement can be made to 'this steering by reducing or removing the spring loaded 'cross steering tube. 'As in many other points, we consider the USA conditions 'may demand variations in the steering compared with 'what we have proved to be best for our own conditions. 'We know for instance, parking cars in the USA is a big 'problem, and if a car has to be shunted into a confined 'space, the lighter the steering the better. 'Also we know that the treads on the USA.tyres vary 'from those we use and will make the steering heavier. 'After a number of tests and dealing with a number of 'customers complaints, it has been found the best 'compromise to suit our conditions to add friction by 'means of loading up the cross steering tube ball ends.' I have also heard from Mr.Wormald on the subject as follows:- '(Referring to Oy's cable to Springfield:) - The tyres 'referred to by Oy are balloon Tyres, but they have a 'narrow tread which would materially assist Steering 'troubles. Springfield can get these Tyres in 'quantities in America. 'So far as steering is concerned, Springfield is making 'the same Steering as Derby. Oy. however has been 'discussing this problem of Steering with R.{Sir Henry Royce}, and I 'believe R.{Sir Henry Royce} has agreed that Springfield should have some 'modification to their steering, that Oy. considers 'will help their difficulties, if they are proved by 'experiment, so that the question of Springfield 'making anything different to us in steering will be | ||