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 discussing engine and transmission development, including the PII model, automatic gears, and the Schneider Trophy.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\4\ Scan321 | |
| Date | 18th May 1931 guessed | |
| - 6 - and just as soon as something reasonable comes along in its place, we can expect to see a regular landslide of sliding gear transmissions. We are sorry you are not getting along very fast with the bigger 25 HP. I did what I could from this end to back you up, for which I got it severely in the neck, but just the same I maintain that my contention was sound, that if you people really made up your minds at that time to get down to it and give us that car, it could have been done in the time, but now of course it is too late, and we have to pin all our hopes on the PII which is now practically all we have. If for any reason this fails us, we shall all very soon be out in the cold, so you can bet your last cent that we are not going to let anything stand in the way of making this go, even if it involves rebuilding every wheel you send us, but we are not out seeking trouble, and if our sales and prospects do not raise this point you will not hear any more of it from me at any rate. Please give my kindest regards to everybody at Derby and if you can let us know something about what there is ahead of us - When can we expect an easy gear change? What about a 12 cylinder engine? I should like to hear from you how you feel about these automatic transmissions, and whether it would be any good going into the matter further. Would you like to try one? We believe we could get an "Electro Gear" which would just about fit the 25 HP and make it a real up to date performer! How are you getting along with the Schneider Trophy? We sent you some bearings and valves, were these O.K.? We all wish you all the very best of luck in this and feel sure that you will succeed in improving on the last effort. Yours very sincerely, Robt. B Buntine. | ||