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).
Trial of a Buick synchro mesh gearbox as an 'easy change gear' alternative.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 6\2\ 02-page173 | |
| Date | 22th April 1931 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to FH. 8523. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1/LJ.22.4.31. X.523. X.3317. EASY CHANGE GEAR. We strongly recommend that you try a Buick car with a synchro mesh gearbox. Undoubtedly one of the first things to be discussed with R.{Sir Henry Royce} when he returns is the question of gear boxes, because we do not believe the schemes we have at present on test will ever be adopted. There should be no difficulty at all in getting hold of a Buick car. General Motors themselves are very friendly, and have told their local agents that they should supply us with any car we sent to try. R.{Sir Henry Royce}, without having tried it, has been rather against the synchro mesh. When you try the Buick you will find that although the synchro mesh gives them an easy change, the gears are not silent. It is possible, however, to make a gearbox with a synchro mesh change having silent gears. Some of the later American boxes have this, but we doubt whether any cars fitted with them are at present in this country. The Buick car is interesting apart from the gearbox. We should like your comments on the steering, this is absolutely free from joggles but is rather low geared. We think it is essential before any fresh move is made on gearboxes, everyone should be aware of what it is hoped to achieve. There is very little room for original work. The full epicyclic has been done by Daimler. Maybach, synchro mesh, and the free wheel are the other alternatives. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||