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 providing feedback on a car's steering and handling, comparing its performance to a Bentley.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 90\2\ scan0009 | |
| Date | 11th September 1936 | |
| - 4 - exerting a clamping action between the cup and the ball, even though this itself may be slight. I also consider that the amount of "wind up" on the steering wheel is too much, and the elimination of the rear springs would presumably halve its extent. (e) Caster or trailing action: Whilst this is not excessive driving would be more comfortable and the car would be easier to control at speed with either half or one degree less rake on the stub axle pins. The present steering is a shade heavy on corner-ing, and in conjunction with the amount of wind up on the wheel, frequently necessitates changing grip on a bend when possibly one hand is required to be free for giving a warning blow on the horn. I appreciate that with many cars the rake of the front axle is controlled only by the front springs, and on these the rake has to be sufficient to deal with the torque of the front brakes and cornering. In the case of the Bentley, however, this torque is controlled by the shock absorber arm, and it is therefore possible to reduce the rake without any risk of getting an anti-caster when cornering. This letter is not sent in any sense of carping criticism. I have a number of friends who have been watching the car with extreme interest, but so far I have not been able to give a whole-hearted recommendation, particularly in view of the number of small troubles I have had, which I think you will agree are more than one would expect in less than 5,000 miles on a car of this cost. I want to stick to a British car and, with the possible exception of the Phantom-3 which I have not tried yet, I cannot say I know of a better one. I must admit, however, that with the exception of the improved acceleration, this car does not give me the pleasure to drive that I obtained from the 3½-litre Bentley I had earlier in the year, and I do feel that the detail requirements to make the car really nice should not be serious. I do not wish to bother you at a busy time but should like your remarks in connection with (a) the knocking tendency, (b) the slow running and idling and | ||