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).
Standardisation of the 15-tooth axle, weighing its performance benefits against a slight increase in petrol consumption.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\1\ Scan299 | |
| Date | 14th April 1921 | |
| PN.{Mr Northey} from EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to B.J. x.3457 x3545 EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}21/F14.4.21. RE. 15-TOOTH AXLES. With reference to your PN{Mr Northey}25/DN13.4.21, I have again discussed this matter to-day with Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}, and we are certainly of the opinion (and I always have been) that the 15-tooth axle would be of benefit for all cars, except perhaps a car which was specially rigged up for racing purposes on a racing track. I have tested several cars - heavy covered cars and light, high speed cars - both with 15 and 16-tooth axles, and have yet to appreciate any disadvantages so far as actual performance on the road is concerned, with the 15-tooth axle, in fact in all cases the 15-tooth axle gives one a definite marked improvement as regards power and liveliness, and is a point which has always been appreciated by customers. The chief disadvantage I feel in standardising this axle would be a slightly higher petrol consumption, but this is not a general complaint, and we seem to be quite in advance in this respect as compared with our competitors, and as far as the Works are concerned, I feel that we have not the least hesitation in recommending the standardisation of the 15-tooth axle for all cars. Such has been my recommendation from the very first, and it was R's point that 16-tooth axles could be used for high speed cars, but according to his last report he now seems to be emphatic on the 15-tooth axle being standardised for all cars. We therefore think that full advantage should be taken of this. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} I have no doubt will prime you with data and figures of his tests, also particulars of power curves and corresponding performances with different gear ratios. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} [Stamp: RECEIVED APR 1921 HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}] [Footer: E.R. 33/7/1000 1/1/21 G & S (1) Ltd] | ||