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).
Potential of fitting an over-drive system, similar to those in American cars, to Bentley and Continental Phantom III models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 92\5\ scan0055 | |
| Date | 2nd May 1936 | |
| To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Ex. re Over-Drives. You will remember I told you that I have recently tried two American cars with over-drives, the one being the Studebaker and the other the Ford V.8. The former was automatic in action and the latter under the control of the driver. I feel that we ought to be taking a definite interest in this matter and should like you to see the article on the subject in this week's 'Motor'. For the reasons given in the last paragraph of the article I do not think we want to worry about the automatic type. The type under the control of the driver is infinitely preferable. You will see that the type used on the Ford V.8 is built up by the Columbia Axle Co. and sold as an accessory for the Ford V.8. It occurred to me that, as our people are going to America, they could make enquiries on the spot and see whether it would be worth while buying one. By 'worth while' I mean, could we, if we had it, without great difficulty, fit it to one of our cars? I often feel even on my 20/25 that I should like a still higher gear and one feels that this question of over-drives will come along. It certainly would be an attractive feature on the Bentley on the Continent and on the Continental P.III when we produce one. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||