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).
Experimental easy-change gearbox fitted to the 14-EX car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 6\4\ 04-page257 | |
| Date | 2nd July 1930 | |
| To SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to HOF. c. to R.{Sir Henry Royce} Y5310 Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}2/AD.2.7.30. EASY CHANGE GEAR. Replying to Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}13/E1.7.30. 14-EX. car has fitted to it an experiment using a constant mesh double helical gear for the 3rd. speed which is engaged by means of a jaw clutch. In this scheme there is no free wheel, for easy engagement on relies on the jaw clutch. as this was first tried the engagement was not easy. The gear-box however, at present is in pieces and being modified so that it will be easier to engage. It must be remembered that the gear-box on 14-EX is the Phantom 1 type. All we are out for is to get the information, if necessary, to be able to apply it to Phantom ll. Our own impression at the moment is that we prefer the free wheel to this scheme. A scheme practically identical to this has been tried out at Springfield as a means of obtaining an easy change, but they gave it up. The new Studebaker appears to be a combination of the constant mesh helical with jaw clutches and a free wheel. This, we should anticipate, would give a very easy change. We expect to have 14-EX running again in two or three days. In the meantime it should be realised that this is the only experiment we have running on easy change gear. | ||