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).
Letter concerning the failure of wheel drivers on Bentley chassis and proposing remedial action with strengthened replacements.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\1\ scan0219 | |
| Date | 24th March 1938 | |
| GRK - I rather agree with S.P. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} To Bentley Motors Ltd. Derby............By. Copy to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Ha. 1245. Levallois Sr/VA.IO/ET.24.3.38 Re: WHEEL DRIVERS ON BENTLEY CHASSIS ------------------------------- As you are aware, there have been in the past a certain number of failures of the early non strengthened type rear wheel drivers on 3 1/2 and 4 1/4 litre chassis and which, in some cases, has put the Company to considerable expense owing to the broken wheel driver having caused extensive damage to other parts of the rear axle. Please refer to Owner's Complaint Report No P.63. When we have to replace wheel drivers, owing to failure or slackness, we always fit the strengthened type. It is our personal opinion that it would be a good idea if the strengthened type wheel driver were fitted to all 4 1/4 litre cars which are permanently in France, and especially when the owners are known to be hard drivers. The above would, we think, prevent the possibility of a breakdown, with consequent heavy expenditure to the Company. On the later model 3 1/2 litre chassis, we would suggest that the owner should be charged according to mileage. We shall be interested to learn what, when the car is normally driven, is considered to be the normal life of a wheel driver before the owner is asked to pay for the fitting of new drivers. We shall be very pleased to have your opinion as soon as possible. Sr/VA. VA P.S. By cars "permanently in France" (Paragraph 3), we mean cars already in service in France. [Handwritten on left margin]: CH.770 GZ3589 | ||