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).
Customer complaint about the steering on Chassis GSK.68, comparing it unfavorably to competitor cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\5\ Scan064 | |
| Date | 9th August 1926 | |
| W/S. {Derby Works / Sales} C. to Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X4118 Hm {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} 4/W9.8.26. Chassis No. GSK.68 - Tangye. We give below copy of Mr. Trayner's report regarding his visit to the above car :- "As instructed I visited the above owner at Birmingham on the 5th. inst. to attend to his complaint of Steering. The complaint is of exactly the same nature as that complained of by G.D. Flather, owner of chassis GMK.49, i.e. "That the steering wheel should not move except at the will of the driver." Mr. Tangye is comparing the steering of GSK.68 with that of his Darracq and Humber cars. We tried the three cars over the same rough roads, and Mr. Tangye demonstrated to me that the Steering Wheel on the other Makers' cars does not kick or vibrate. The owner was very much upset that I could not make, or give him a promise that it could be made to meet his requirements. He also expressed the opinion that our steering was too highly geared for the type of car. The Darracq steering is fairly light and good at self-centring when cornering. It certainly "stays put" when slightly turned from a direct course, but I thought it very good. Mr. Tangye at first said he would not drive the car until the steering was made right. After promising to attend to the springing which I still thought too hard over the rough roads, Mr. Tangye said he would drive the car on a journey to Cardiff on Friday next. I am sure this owner will never be satisfied with the present type steering. The steering is quite up to our standard." Apparently we shall have to alter his steering before he will be satisfied. Will Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} please let us know what prospects there are of the modified steering being standardised? Hm. {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} | ||