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 from Morse Chain Co. regarding the accuracy of specifications in 'Automotive Industries' and the use of chains versus gears by US car manufacturers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 128\3\ scan0153 | |
| Date | 3rd May 1934 | |
| MORSE CHAIN CO. DIVISION OF BORG-WARNER CORPORATION F.{Mr Friese} L. MORSE, PRES. F.{Mr Friese} C. THOMPSON, VICE PRES. & GEN. MGR. D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} B. PERRY, VICE PRES. & SEC. C. J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} KENERSON, TREAS. usa 81109 MANUFACTURERS OF INDUSTRIAL AND AUTOMOTIVE SILENT CHAIN DRIVES FLEXIBLE COUPLINGS ROLLER CHAIN DRIVES MARINE TRANSMISSIONS PULLMORE CLUTCHES FACTORIES ITHACA, N.Y., U.S.A. DETROIT, MICH., U.S.A. LETCHWORTH, ENGLAND DETROIT PLANT, 7601 CENTRAL AVENUE TELEPHONE GARFIELD 7500 E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Please note Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} DETROIT, MICH. May 3, 1934 Rolls-Royce Ltd. Derby, England Att: Mr. W. A.{Mr Adams} Robotham Dear Mr. Robotham: We have your letter of April 21st and in regard to the specifications list in the "Automotive Industries" wish to say that you can never depend upon this listing, as many mistakes are made and even though we advise them of mistakes that are made, it seems difficult to get the corrections made, which may partially be due to the automobile manufacturers not always giving all the information and the Publishers having to guess at the specifications. In regard to the past five years, there has only been one American automobile manufacturer who has switched from chains to gears -- this is the Terraplane and in this case there was a misunderstanding about price as they thought that they were going to save money by using gears, which turned out not to be the case. During this same period, the Plymouth has gone to chains and the latest model of Buick also, both of which have always used gears. We expect one other large manufacturer of low-priced cars, who has always used gears, to adopt a chain on their 1935 model, therefore, you can see that the "Automotive Industries" is quite misleading. Very truly yours, MORSE CHAIN COMPANY F.{Mr Friese} C. Thompson VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER FCT:O | ||