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 reporting a noticeable hum from the back axle of an experimental car fitted with Michelin Disc Wheels.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\1\ Scan132 | |
| Date | 22th January 1920 | |
| X.3457 To R. {Sir Henry Royce} from CH. c. to Wor. {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to En. c. to EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to PN. {Mr Northey} X.3743. CJ4/D 22.1.20. X.3482. X.3612. X.3457. My Dear R. {Sir Henry Royce} , On the experimental car which is now in France there are fitted Michelin Disc Wheels. The back axle is of the Gleason type. Directly I tried the car I was surprised to find that the back axle gave a very distinct note. You recollect that West of our part of Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence Bay there is a headland on which you used to sit, and which at one time we thought of purchasing. This is separated by the road, byt the length of the headland and the railway. I was seated at the end of the headland, and the car passed on the roadwas on top gear. The hum at that distance was very noticeable. Maddocks tells me that Hives had suggested that the accentuation of the note was due to Michelin Disc Wheels. In any case, the back axle is very different, to the back axle which PN. {Mr Northey} tried at Christmas, seeing that PN. {Mr Northey} reported that the axle was so silent that he practically did not know that he had a back axle on the car. This matter appears to require investigation. Yours ever. CJ. | ||