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).
Positive performance results of fitting a new 14/52 axle ratio on a test car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\1\ Scan308 | |
| Date | 1st May 1921 | |
| X4299 To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to CJ. c. to W. c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. tp PN.{Mr Northey} c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} COPY. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}2/LGS.5.21. X4299 X3763 14/52 AXLE RATIO. We are running an axle fitted with 14/52 gears. The axle is good as regards silence. We have fitted it to 1.EX Car which has a light open-touring body. Under the road conditions existing round Derby, this light car fitted with a 14 tooth axle, gives a better performance - there is a definite improvement in acceleration, hill climbing and average speed. The 14/52 axle on any car will always give a better performance up to at least 60 M.P.H. We are preparing curves showing engine horse power and road wheel horse power of high and low compression cars plotted against - 16 X 52, 15 X 52 and 14 X 52 axles. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||