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 discussing increased leverage for steering gear to accommodate balloon tires and proposing a new standard.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 53\2\ Scan117 | |
| Date | 7th July 1924 | |
| ROLLS-ROYCE OF AMERICA, INC. SPRINGFIELD, MASS. X 4565 Oy8-E-7724 July 7, 1924. Mr. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} W. Hives, Mickleover, Near Derby, England. (Personal) Dear Hives: You will remember my speaking to you about increased leverage of the steering gear for balloon tires. In the immediate future there is no doubt whatever that (call them what you will) tires will increase in cross-section and go on smaller wheels. Our use of the 6.600 (now called the 6.75") tire on a 21" wheel, as a standard extra, will probably become standard and be widely copied before the year is out. Though the excessively large 7" tires (corresponding to your 36x8s) will probably not come, steering is distinctly more difficult at low or "parking" speeds with the 6.75" than with standard tires. We cannot sacrifice a degree in steering lock because our long cars are difficult to park anyway. Merely increasing the wheel an inch is not enough. We consider that we should have an 18" wheel of the present easily gripped rim section, plus an increase in leverage of 50%. Can you start this on the way to standardisation? Oy. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Olley MO/E | ||