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).
Potential introduction of a 14-tooth axle for Phantom cars, weighing its advantages against potential issues.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 66\4\ scan0362 | |
Date | 25th November 1927 | |
X8350 To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from BJ. Axle Ratios. BJ16/E25/11/27 Copy to C. for the C.S.C. I was very glad to hear from you yesterday that it is hoped that we shall be able to introduce the 14-tooth axle again. There is no doubt that anything which will give the impression of better pick-up in our cars is far more important than a few extra miles at high speed. The Sales Conference are of opinion that the introduction of the 14-tooth axle as standard on our Phantom cars might well be considered by the Works as a matter of urgency, but they could not make a recommendation on this until agood deal of investigation has been carried out. For instance:- (a) Whether there would be any increase in the vibration or fussiness. (b) Whether it might not be quite satisfactory for the heaviest bodies but not equally satisfactory for cars with lighter bodies; that is to say, in the way of the car losing some of its Rolls-Royce characteristics. (c) Whether the Works have now overcome the great objection they had some two or three years ago to supplying the 14 tooth axle. You will nodoubt remember that at that time Derby gave it as a definite opinion that the 14 tooth axle was far more difficult to get silent straight off the machines than the 15 tooth for certain known technical reasons. We should not like to adopt the 14 tooth axle if it were likely to put us into the bad position as regards silent axles that we were in just before the introduction of the Phantom with the 15 tooth axle. So that the known advantages of the 14 tooth axle, which there are no doubt about so far as acceleration and top gear are concerned in certain districts (for instance Sevenoaks) Sales would like to have, provided the other difficulties do not outweigh the advantages. When do you think it is possible that this may be standard? BJ. | ||