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).
Proposals for the design of controls on R-R and Bentley cars, including steering wheels.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 178\3\ img276 | |
| Date | 14th July 1932 | |
| TO GA. FROM W. COPY TO GR.{George Ratcliffe} MS. S. NV2/14.7.32. x7340 x8340 x435?. CONTROLS IN THE STEERING COLUMN. As a result of our conversation re the above we have now put our proposals before "R" who has raised no objections. The proposals are as follows:- PER R-R CARS. For P.2, 5UP, J.III and Peregrine the controls will be a lowered and cleaned up edition of those now used. The R-R characteristics of shape will be maintained but the criticisms which you have raised will be dealt with. I feel that we cannot afford to give up a characteristic of our car and a design which is now in hand will shew our proposal. BENTLEY. We have made a design for Bentley using the inner mechanism now on J.III. but have so formed the outer casing to give the Bentley appearance. Small knobs as on Bentley are used. A spring wheel has been designed meeting the requirements of both Bluemel and Dover. We think we should use the former if possible as its "reeded" rim was a feature of the car. In all the above the controls will be flattened and will not shew a dirty interior or underneath. A dimming or dipping control to the headlamps is provided. We agree that the present controls are out of date, and although many designs have been made and produced we still are where we were on production. Our hope now is that we may be able to clear the matter up. Derby will receive the designs in about a week. | ||