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Phantom III gearbox, considering a three-speed with an overdrive.


Identifier  ExFiles\Box 94\2\  scan0090
Date  27th November 1936
  
328

To Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Sg. {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}
Copy to Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} E.
BY.Da. {Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Hdy. {William Hardy}

P.III Gearbox.

Sg {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} 15/E27.11.36

Referring to Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 1/AP.24.11.36 I should be glad if E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} would say why we departed from the principle of the gearbox attached to the engine to the separate gearbox, which arrangement Item 1 says has proved to be unsatisfactory.

I have discussed with the Sales people the suggestion of a three-speed gearbox and it rather shocked them.

If, however, an over-drive were combined with it, then we believe we could 'put it over'.

I gather from the last paragraph that you can fix up an arrangement of this description for us to try on an existing P.III, i.e. a three-speed box having the ratios you would recommend plus an over-drive.

Would you please let us know how soon this will be ready?

With regard to a Packard box, I forget whether this was authorised or not but, if not, it is agreed provided you cannot use the box on the Packard car that we already own, and which car I understand has been or shortly will be released by EP {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} now that he has a RR allotted to him for the Service Dept.

Sg. {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}
  
  
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).


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