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).
Ergonomic issues with the 'Silver Ripple' model, focusing on the gear lever and rear passenger foot space.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 98\5\ scan0187 | |
| Date | 12th June 1939 | |
| Hoof. SECRET. S/W. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. " Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. " By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. " Mr. "Silver Ripple". CxIO/KW12.6.39. Reference your Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/RIO.6.39, the impression I got was that the gear lever was to far forward, so that bending it forward, as you suggest, would tend to aggravate the situation, and it occurred to me that it should go farther back if possible, provided the lever would still clear the driving seat. Seeing,however, that in this model all driving seats are adjustable, there should be no difficulty over the question of clearance. As regards the feet of the rear passengers, I know this has been fully discussed with various members of S. Dept. but I do not think they have all been unanimous in agreeing that the arrangement as it is is as good as we should like. I have continually urged the importance of this, but I understand there are difficulties in connection with the chassis lay-out which prevent much improvement in this respect, and even prevent it being as good as the Jaguar. I still think every possible effort should be made to improve this particular point. People often judge a car by the comfort which they experience as soon as they get into it and sit down, and the "Silver Ripple" is not as good as it should be in that respect, if one can judge by the sample tried last week. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} -deeb | ||