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).
Demonstration and gearbox issues of competitor cars, the Graham Paige and Studebaker Commander.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 6\4\ 04-page264 | |
| Date | 29th August 1930 | |
| Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Y5310 Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}4/W.29.8.30. Y523 Y7310 Y5310 SILENT THIRD GEAR. Replying to Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}7/DSc.7.30. This matter has been fully discussed with H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} On Wednesday the 27th. inst., we took to W.T. a Graham Paige car and demonstrated this to R.{Sir Henry Royce} We had obtained a Studebaker Commander (this is the car you tried in America which has the free wheel operated by the knob on the change speed lever). Unfortunately, after Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} had driven the car a few miles the gearbox went wrong and he could only use the third speed. It was because we could not take the Studebaker that we took the Graham Paige. We are satisfied that W.W. are doing their best to give us a silent third gearbox. They are also impressed with the fact that it will be necessary to have a simple scheme quickly and not wait for the full epicyclic gear. Now that we have actually demonstrated the Graham Paige car to R.{Sir Henry Royce} we do not think it will serve any useful purpose to purchase one of these cars. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||