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).
Troubles with a 20/25 HP Synchromesh Gearbox and questioning the extent of its original testing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 104\4\ scan0118 | |
| Date | 28th April 1932 | |
| HP 24/4/32 XS310 To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} re 20/25 HP Synchromesh Gearbox. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}5/E28.4.32 Copy to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Arising out of our discussion yesterday and the troubles from which production is suffering in regard to third gear coming out of mesh, I was wondering yesterday evening on the way back what actual tests the gearbox had had. One box of course was fitted to R's car, 20-G-4, and whilst one assumes that it has not had very extensive use, we do not appear to have heard of any trouble. In regard to the other one, I see from the file that the intention last December was to fit it to 18-G-4, which at that date was going back to France for a further test of about 5,000 miles in connection with some improved power modifications. You eventually came to the conclusion that these latter were not worth while so that the question of the car going to France was dropped and in Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}6/MJ.21.1.32 you said that you did not think we should be justified in sending the car back to France, that it was not necessary to send it to France for the gearbox only as the necessary testing could be done in England, and apart, therefore, from dynamometer tests I should be glad to know what actual testing this box was given in England. What one wants to try to discover is why it is that we are having this trouble now instead of at its first being found on test. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||