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).
Report on the steering characteristics of the 7.B.V. vehicle.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 100\2\ scan0111 | |
| Date | 27th April 1939 | |
| To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FD.{Frank Dodd - Bodies} 7.B.V. STEERING. I have read with interest Waller's report on the steering of 7.B.V., the whole subject of which is very controversial. From my own point of view the directness and rigid feeling which Waller condemns, is one of its greatest assets, giving a feeling of confidence and security especially noticeable at high speeds where accuracy and judgement is required. At the same time, I fully appreciate Waller's opinion on the matter in view of the fact that he has driven 8.B.V. with the new geometry consistently for so long during its recent Continental test. Personally, I feel that the majority of Bentley owners would prefer a steering having the characteristics of 7.B.V. rather than those of 9.B.V. At Easter I drove 7.B.V. for 175 miles after 5.30 pm., at the end of which I experienced no fatigue, so consider the heaviness referred to in Waller's report as a feeling of steadiness rather than heaviness. There is one definite advantage of the new geometry against the old, viz., parking in a congested place. I myself, have never experienced any difficulty with the old geometry in this respect. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FD.{Frank Dodd - Bodies} | ||