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).
Clutch issues, referencing Buick clutches and considering outsourcing to specialist firm Borg & Beck.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 30\1\ Scan131 | |
| Date | 7th March 1936 | |
| Chassis. -3- HYS/R.7.3.36. CLUTCHES GENERALLY. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} said that our experience over the last four or five years indicates that although we have had designs galore we are always in trouble with clutches. He referred to the Buick clutch as a very good example of a clutch which functions sweetly and satisfactorily but which may not stand much abuse. To gain information on this point the Buick clutch has been subjected to destructive tests by repeated starts on top gear and it has maintained its good behaviour throughout although the linings have been worn down to the rivets and re-lining has become necessary. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} advocated the abandonment of our efforts to design and make clutches which would release some of our capacity for more necessary work by obtaining clutches from a specialist firm such as Borg & Beck. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} stated that a Borg & Beck clutch is already in-structed for Experimental test with a view to obtain-ing information. | ||