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).
Cracked Bentley front axle in Paris and recommendations for a strengthened replacement.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 84\3\ scan0216 | |
| Date | 25th May 1934 | |
| X201 To Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}18/KW. 25.5.34. Bentley Front Axles. We had a telephone message from Paris this morning to say that a front axle had cracked on a car out there, whether a customer's car or some demonstration car we do not know. This has apparently been sent back to England. In addition they stated that the steering on their own Trials car had deteriorated and on measuring up they found that they had twisted this axle. Also that the front springs showed signs of losing their camber. This Trials car has of course done a great deal of running under strenuous demonstration conditions on the Continent. With the axle in its present condition Sr. pointed out that the car was not fit to demonstrate. We recommend that Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} should send a strengthened type front axle and another set of front road springs over to Paris to get this car going. We attach photographs showing (1) the axle which failed on the Bump, and (2) the axle starting to go on the Streamlined car. We understand that it has been agreed to change all these weak type front axles. This seems particularly desirable where a car is running under Continental conditions. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Att: 2 Photographs. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} please note that second photograph will follow in due course. | ||