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).
Re-tests on car 49-GB at Brooklands, comparing the advantages of lower versus higher axle gears for different body types.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\1\ Scan192 | |
| Date | 25th June 1920 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} Copy to CJ. " " PN.{Mr Northey} " " H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} " " EFC. X 3545 R11/G25.6.20. X.2631 X.788. X.3545. RE TESTS CARRIED OUT ON 49-GB AT BROOKLANDS. We are interested in the Brooklands test of the speed shewing the advantage of the lower axle gear. It is also agreed that this will be still further manifest with a large and heavy body having great windage, but at the same time for ordinary running of a light body one might prefer the higher gear, as the engine would possibly wear better, take less petrol, and destroy the tyres less, so that we ought not to decide on this for the light cars unless somebody reliable who has been in the habit of using such a car thinks it advisable. Probably the best people outside ourselves and EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} to judge this particular feature would be Mr. Northey and Mr. Hanbury. R.{Sir Henry Royce} Low compression and low gear for heavy enclosed cars might be considered to go together. | ||