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).
Synchromesh seizure and general vehicle performance during testing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 11\4\ 04-page086 | |
| Date | 9th July 1932 | |
| x7941. To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} From G.W.H. Hotel de France, Chateauroux, FRANCE. 9.7.32. 19-EX. With reference to your memo Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1/AD.7.7.32. SYNCHROMESH SEIZURE. A.B.Roberts was driving the car at the time and he reports that he was making a quick change from the 3rd gear into top. The change speed lever went so far and would go no further. He could make the teeth rub by pressing hard on the lever. They took the lid{A. J. Lidsey} off the gearbox and could move the cones. Whilst trying to move the change speed lever after a few minutes the neutral position was obtained. They could not see or feel what was the cause of the gear not going in. They tried the top gear again and it appeared to be quite normal. The lid{A. J. Lidsey} was replaced and no further trouble was experienced. We had a further look after the car had returned to the garage, but could not see the cause of the failure. It has not since given any further signs of sticking. PERFORMANCE. My report of the general performance being good, should have been a separate item, and not under the heading of the engine. I meant to express the car's general behaviour during the day's mileage. My first impression upon driving the car after coming off Mr Puse's car did not strike me as having the same acceleration. I know without definite figures one can be mistaken, but you have definitely told me you would not accept speedometer figures. I enclose acceleration figures taken by the speedometer reading. We have been scouting around to get a level piece of road 2 to 3 kms long, with a stretch in front, to obtain the maximum speed which Roberts told me you required. It has not been easy to find a suitable level stretch of road, with approach to obtain the speed, so we have not been able to let you have the maximum speed. We hope to do so in the next few days. | ||