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).
Worsening clutch issues, particularly on the 20/25 HP model, and the urgency of finding a resolution.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 103\1\ scan0197 | |
| Date | 15th January 1936 | |
| -> S/W....Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} -----E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} C11/C15.1.36 Re CLUTCHES. ----- With reference to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}12/KW7.12.35, I shall be very glad to know whether anything further has developed in respect of the clutches for existing cars. This matter has got very bad again, including the 20/25 h.p., and we really ought to take serious note of the complaints we have. It appears to be worse than it used to be, inasmuch as more damage appears to take place and cars actually stop on the road. I understand that this is noticeable since the advent of the oil seal; whereas prior to the fitting of that device we used to have slipping clutches, of course, there was rather a drastic cure and it very rarely resulted in the clutch actually burning out. Lately, however, we are experiencing this latter and it becomes increasingly difficult for us to tell owners and drivers that it is due to their incorrect driving. We have had to do this in a number of cases and, of course, to some extent this is true. Nevertheless it is very difficult to explain that our cars have such little lee-way for error in driving that such serious results take place, besides which it would be very bad for it to get round generally, that Rolls-Royce clutches were difficult to handle and that in the event of any trouble Rolls-Royce were blaming the drivers. This matter is, therefore, a very urgent one. You mentioned recently re the Bentley, the Borg & Beck clutch. I understand this has now gone through 10,000 miles on the bigger bore. Has this been considered for the 20/25 h.p., and has the position arrived when we might, in serious cases, change the whole clutch unit and fit a Borg & Beck? We have in mind a number of customers on Bentleys and 20/25s whom we almost despair of driving as we would like them to drive - two of them actually live in the Alps. C. | ||