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).
Failures and modifications of the Minx Gear Box in the 14 HP Hillman chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 136\2\ scan0387 | |
| Date | 22th February 1944 | |
| Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Copy to Wym.{G. Harold Whyman - Experimental Manager} " " FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} " " EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} " " Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/Tln. [Handwritten]: AH Chassis gearboxes 1153 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Dd.7/JT22.2.44. Re: Minx Gear Box in 14 h.p. Hillman Chassis. The Minx gear box was fitted to the Hillman 14 when the latter was first produced, but experience proved that it was not strong enough, this box had syncromesh on all gears. The gear box was modified in 1939 for the "14" and the manufacturers fitted it to both "14" and "10", obviously for production reasons. Failures on the Hillman 14 with the early all syncromesh box were confined to the breaking of teeth on the 2nd and 3rd gears. Failures on the latest box have been caused through the breaking of the steel spacing slip rings between the gears. We have also had trouble with the syncromesh cones working loose on the rivets. These Hillman 14 Cars are mainly driven by girl drivers and I would say that they rather tax the syncromesh cones, nevertheless it is no more than we should have to expect from the average customer. Samples of the loose cones could be loaned to you for investigation. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Dd. [Signature: Gd] | ||