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 from Rolls Royce of America proposing a simplification of the starting handle to reduce weight and cost.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 66\3\ scan0204 | |
| Date | 7th May 1929 | |
| OY 3 May 7th, 1929. Mr. A.{Mr Adams} F.{Mr Friese} Sidgreaves, Rolls Royce Ltd., London, England. cc - Mr. Bailey Mr. Hives Dear Mr. Sidgreaves: STARTING HANDLE - SECTION 5270 I attach A-14072 showing a simplification of the starting handle. We have long received comments on the starting handle as being heavier than is needed for its present day purpose of "notching" over an engine for examination of valve timing, ignition timing etc. We know of no case where a starting handle has been used either by owners or by ourselves with the serious intention of starting a Phantom engine. All makers in this country treat the handle as one of the standard wrenches of the tool kit, and in case of cars fitted with wood wheels it is often made to perform the operations of detaching the rim and also of working the lifting jack. We therefore have tried to produce a handle which was simply a rather good-looking wrench. It is nickel or chrome plated all over after assembly. The weight represents a saving of 1 lb. The cost represents a saving of $3.68 per car. Yours faithfully, ROLLS ROYCE OF AMERICA, INC. Maurice Olley Encl. | ||