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).
Merits of a three-speed versus a four-speed gearbox for new models, particularly concerning acceleration in traffic.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 137\5\ scan0055 | |
| Date | 22th October 1920 | |
| X.3720 To LHS.{Lord Herbert Scott} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} Copy to CJ. " " EAC. " " Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} " " FN. " " EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} " " Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} " " By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} " " R.R. of America Inc. (For the attention of OY). R9/G22.10.20. X.2565 RE NEW MODELS. X 3426 X 3720 Thank you for your kind note re the new models. So much is wrapped up in the three and four speed box that I have decided to see what can be done with the three speed before we handicap ourselves by adopting a four speed. You will see in my memo I particularly remark that for acceleration it is necessary to have a lower top gear. Traffic is now faster, and it is most difficult to get past one another and such vehicles as buses and trams, that one would be forced to change down to third speed unless one has very good acceleration on the top speed. Such a change with an ordinary gear box is very undesirable. It is extremely nice to think that one has sufficient power to negotiate any conditions of traffic and ordinary inclines as on their top gear. Any change suggested by me would not affect the high speed obtainable with thecar, and the possibilities of a fast average over a sketch of roads, and we in England would be entirely in favour of the lower gear as one could pick up more quickly for traffic. Cont.d | ||