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).
Minutes from a chassis conference discussing remote control and special overdrive for the Phantom III.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161a\3\ scan0146 | |
| Date | 26th April 1939 | |
| 1381 DECISIONS TAKEN AT CHASSIS CONFERENCE HELD AT DERBY ON 26th APRIL, 1939, in RE AGENDA Ref. BY.1/G.21.4.39 Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}6/FS.{F. Steele}27.4.9. Present: Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} C. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} Reid (for RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}) H.R.Smith. Ll.Smith LA.{L. A. Archer} Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} Absent: REC. Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} PHANTOM III 1. Remote Control. The design under observation is applicable to other models but it was fitted to a Phantom III as being the worst example of gear change on which to experiment. The only objection so far come across is that when the vacuum is not working the change gear then is worse than it would be in the ordinary way before the device is fitted. The next move is to transfer the control from the side lever on to the column where it is eventually desired. 2. Special Overdrive. (a) WARNER type:- This system combines a free wheel which we will not require; therefore more attention is being paid to the next type. (b) NORMANVILLE type:- This will add to the expense of the chassis but not a great deal. It can be fitted to a box with three speeds and overdrive or four speeds and overdrive. This led to a discussion on the merits of three and four speed boxes coupled with overdrive in addition. The point to be decided in that respect was which makes the best car for the customer. In any case the overdrive is accepted for other reasons than merely a high gear ratio Apparently it is a big job to add the overdrive to the four speed box and would add appreciably to the cost of the box. Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} thought that a four speed box including overdrive would be acceptable because of the addition of synchro-mesh on second speed. However, the great point was how soon can we try one. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} thought it would be about a year. An endeavour, however, | ||