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).
Design conflicts between the supercharger drive, steering box, and chassis layout.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 178\3\ img279 | |
| Date | 15th July 1932 | |
| FROM DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} C. to R.{Sir Henry Royce} SC. WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} MS. BELPER. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EVL/M15.7.32. Y 353 In confirmation of our telephone conversation yesterday re. your EM/HP12732., and LeC. 3146., shewing a quarter scale layout of the engine, we wish to make it clear that the information supplied goes no further in engine detail than a similar print supplied a week ago. The supercharger drive end is shown differently in plan and elevation, and it is this feature we presume that fouls the steering box. It is not a feature of the standard Powerplus but a support added by yourselves. With the steering box as originally fixed at S.750 forward of the dash we are much worse off than the Alvis or Lagonda in rake of column, as a nearly vertical wheel is essential to a good open car, and a Brooklands body, as it enables the screen to be close to the driver's face. To go back 1.5" more we cannot agree to. Our P. 2. and 25HP 'F' columns have better angles. You have not shown us where this foul is: (the LeC. shows the steering box moved back in elevation only, in which position you may not have observed it fouls the wheelcase.) It is not possible for us to set out the steering box position from a quarter scale drawing of the engine, and we confirm that you are sending us by return what full scale information you have up-to-date of the back of the supercharger, its drive shaft, and the wheelcase arm, in outline, when we will endeavour to at least retain the original column angle, or possibly improve on it by raising the box. As a last resort we can use another type of steering. In the meantime we are unable to proceed with the centre section of the chassis, and all work on the bodies is held up. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||