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).
Use of 11-tooth versus 12-tooth axles on 20 HP demonstration cars and associated customer complaints.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 53\1\ Scan109 | |
| Date | 11th July 1924 | |
| 445245 PN {Mr Northey} 3/DN/11.7.24. TO Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to EP {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} " BJ FROM PN {Mr Northey} At the present time we have 11-tooth axles on all our 20 HP Demonstration cars, including the Open bodies. These axles are good ones and we have found that the performance in respect of quickly getting away and on the short hills which mostly have to be negotiated in and around London, is considerably helped by having the lower-geared axle. Probably in the country, one would prefer to have a 12-tooth axle on the Open 20 HP. Certain 20 HP owners have complained of the performance they are getting with their new cars and that they are not up to that of the demonstration car they had a run on here. Of course, in sundry cases this is arising from the fact that the demonstration may have been given with an engine having the modified camshaft, whereas the customer's car did not have this. As a matter of policy, we are of course entirely against giving a man a better impression with a demonstration car than he is likely to get with his own car when delivered if such difference was a result of any special features about the car, but if we are willing that an owner shall have the option of either a 11 or 12-tooth axle, then the matter is a comparatively simple one to deal with. Probably most men in the country prefer the 12-tooth axle, whilst others living in hilly districts would prefer a lower gear. Before we can come to any definite decision in this matter, we should be assisted by you with information as to what extent the cost of running, performance and wear and tear are likely to be influenced by the lower gear ratio. Our own impression is that the undesirable features ought not to be unduly pronounced, there being so small a percentage difference, but please let us have your views as soon as possible on this matter, because either we intend changing the gear-ratio on our Open Touring car being used for demonstration, or not. [Signature] PN {Mr Northey} | ||