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).
Implementation and testing of a second-speed synchromesh gearbox for the Olympia Show.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 123\3\ scan0066 | |
| Date | 8th December 1933 | |
| [Handwritten] Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [Handwritten] 4704 To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} FROM Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} re P.II. Synchro Mesh Second Speed. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}11/E8.12.33 Thanks for E.5/HP.6.12.33. I note the two alternatives and have discussed the matter thoroughly with C. and Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} We all agree that a special effort should be made so that we can have second speed synchromesh in time for the next Olympia Show. We shall, as you know, have practically nothing else new for the show cars of 1934 other than the point we discussed yesterday about sunk wells in the floors, and this really is only advantageous on the Continental model. From your memo. it seems clear that the only hope of getting second speed synchromesh in time is to apply it to the existing box and, whilst I agree that it would be nicer to wait rather longer so as to apply it to the J.III scheme, i.e. separate gearbox, we feel that for the reasons mentioned above, we cannot afford to wait. We agreed yesterday that Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} would prepare one of h cars - (22-EX I think) - with the frame modifications to enable wells in the floors to be fitted so as to be able to get it away on a 10,000 miles test early in the New Year - I think he said February. In order to save a double 10,000 miles test I hope it will be possible to have the gearbox modification put on the same car. It would be worth waiting, even if it meant an extra week or so, as in any case it will have to do the 10,000 miles test. An additional reason for making us keen to have this second speed synchromesh is because, as you know, the synchromesh on the 3rd is reducing the average driver's ability to change down to second on the old method. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||