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).
Steering wheel positions, driver seating, and potential vision obstruction issues across various car series.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\M\October1924-December1924\ Scan59 | |
| Date | 1st December 1924 | |
| TO BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} FROM DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} SECRET. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/M22. 12. 24. Copy to HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} A.{Mr Adams} C. STEERING WHEEL POSITIONS. Y8430 We thank you for your BY14/H191224. entitled steering wheel positions. We assume this applies to 'V' and 'W' series, the only difference between these two being that in the case of 'C' & 'D' of 'W' series the driver is moved a small amount nearer the dashboard. In para. 2. of your letter we presume that an 'A' type 40/50 car was modified to a 'B' type 2. the bottom of the wheel being placed relative to the dashboard and frame as called for on the 40/50. 'U' 'V' & 'W' series. B TYPE. If the body was built for 'A' steering the seat would be too high and too close to the wheel. We do not quite understand this para. and think possibly the 'A' steering 40/50. should read 'B' type 40/50. Replying to the 3rd para. we would point out that for both 'U' 'V' & 'W' series the seating position and bottom of the wheel relative to the frame and the dash remains unaltered and is the same. Replying to the 4th para. we would point out that we have looked into this matter and the whole of the seating positions and steering positions are shewn on our N.scheme 1832. From this it will be seen that the worse case, and possibly the only case of obstruction of vision occurs on 'D' type but even in this car the top of the wheel does not obscure the radiator filler cap or either of the wing lights. We cannot understand why 'B' type should be complained of. We have had, and driven, several cars with the EAC. 2. 'D' steering of low rake and the large wheel without noticing this defect. Referring to the last para. we do not propose "hoisting the driver bodily out of the car in order to keep "his line of vision". Especially is this undesirable in 'B' type. It may be that we do not fully comprehend the meaning of the memo. and we would be glad if you could kindly give us some further indication of what the trouble is, when we will look into it. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||