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).
Arguing for a 3-speed gearbox over a 4-speed gearbox, detailing points for the Directors' meeting.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\K\November1923\ Scan124 | |
| Date | 23th November 1923 guessed | |
| (2) you will see the facility. (10) Mr. Rowledge's views are that he was a 3 speed advocate. Sales at Wolseley's or Napier's converted him to 4 speeds, but now in these days of low gear direct drive, he, like myself, is quite content to be without the usual 2nd gear of a 4 speed box, i.e. top gear for all work - even on well engineered mountain roads - 1 in 14, a useful gear for 1 in 8 gradient, and a ditching gear 1 in 4. (11) The usual 4 speed box is confusing, and generally requiring more changes - hill out of Dover for instance. (12) One of the worst features of a 4 speed and reverse is that you must have five places on your gate. It involves an external gate and a change speed lever with reverse stop, taking up more body room and increasing the cost of this item 10 times, because a very simple internal gate only is needed for 3 speeds. (13) I admit that it is myself who has constantly advocated 3 speeds since 1918 when we started to gear the cars much lower on top gear, so that sales are not changing, but pressing for their original wishes obstinately. (14) The above points I should like putting before the Directors for their information at the next meeting. It is probable that I shall not be there to give any support for my views, but I think they should take the responsibility, and know the views of their engineer. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||