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).
20 HP car fitted with a 3-speed gearbox and right-hand levers, discussing its weight, design, and operational feedback.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\L\Jan1924-March1924\ Scan152 | |
| Date | 1st March 1924 | |
| R.R. 403A (40 H) (SL 42 12-7-23). J.H., D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} EXPERIMENTAL REPORT. Expl. No. 4247 / 4874 REF: He4/LOLO.3.24. To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to CJ. RG.{Mr Rowledge} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to EX. WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} 20 HP. GEARBOX WITH RIGHT-HAND LEVERS. We have a 20 HP. car running with a 3-speed box with right-hand levers. The weight of the box and levers is 92 lbs. compared with 76 lbs. for the present standard gear-box with central levers. The 3-speed gearbox with right-hand change was designed to enable the servo to be fitted. The servo parts are not fitted and the gearbox casing is made without the features for carrying the servo. We consider that the position of the change speed lever and brake lever is very good indeed. On the standard body it is still possible to get in and out of the car on the right-hand side. We are not altogether pleased with the change gear operation. When the oil is cold and thick in the gearbox, the reverse is stiff to get in. This is due to having to move a considerable number of parts submerged in thick oil and also to slide in the reverse pinion which is partly submerged. The change speed lever and operating shaft are very light and springy and as there is no gate, one is never quite sure whether the gear is in properly. The change from second to top speed is quite nice and light. Having the springs for centering the change speed lever, makes it not so nice to operate as the arrangement | ||