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 the performance and handling issues of a side steering tube fitted with soft springs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154\3\ scan0064 | |
| Date | 12th April 1928 | |
| X3682 ROLLS-ROYCE OF AMERICA, INC. SPRINGFIELD, MASS. Na{Mr Nadin}6B41228 April 12th, 1928. Mr.Basil Johnson ROLLS-ROYCE Ltd., 14-15 Conduit Street, London W-1, ENGLAND. Att. Mr.E.W.Hives RE: SIDE STEERING TUBE Dear Sir, It was proposed some time ago to fit a side steering tube with soft springs, in an endeavour to overcome the road shocks, felt on the steering wheel. I have the impression that you were not favorably impressed with this device, because the steering was rendered more or less indefinite at high speeds. We tried a car fitted with this device some time ago and our feeling was that the steering was much too angular, i.e., one could not drive the car in a straight line, but rather wandered from side to side, making a zig-zag course. At high speeds this was very noticeable because one travels so far along the road in the time taken to correct each of the zig-zags. Perhaps you will kindly tell us what is the status of the side steering tube with soft springs, at the present time. Yours faithfully, Thos. Nadin ROLLS-ROYCE OF AMERICA. INC. TN/B [Handwritten Notes & Stamps]: - Top Left: HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} - Across recipient address: Bd{Mr Berend} - Top right stamp: RECEIVED J.S. 21 APR 1928 - Bottom right stamp: RECEIVED 21 APR 1928 | ||