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).
Serious danger of over-revving the Bentley engine and seeking effective solutions beyond a red mark on the revolution counter.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\4\ 04-page388 | |
| Date | 7th July 1933 | |
| Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} F.W.V.3.d. To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to Mr. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} C.[redacted] Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} DN. re Bentley Car. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}11/E7.7.33 Referring to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}3/MJ.4.7.33 and Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}19/KW5.7.33 you say that it is certain that, if 4500 engine revs. are exceeded, there is a risk of either shaking the flywheel loose, shaking the slipper wheel loose or breaking the crankshaft, and the fact that the Bentley engine will rev. up without any noise and fuss makes it possible that on low gears the engine can be over-revved without the driver realising it. I further note that it is intended to mark the revolution counter with a red mark at 4500, but I feel that this will not overcome the very grave danger of its being done, our receiving the blame and not being able to prove that it has been done. The position, therefore, seems to be rather alarming and I was wondering whether, in addition to the precaution suggested, you could propose any effective means of dealing with this possible situation. One can quite imagine a customer on certain occasions such as overtaking another car, using an indirect gear, exceeding the maximum revs. and not worrying about looking at the speedometer. Doubtless you will give the matter your careful consideration with a view to seeing whether any suggestion can be put forward in order to overcome what on the face of it at present appears to be a very serious danger. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||