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).
Extract concerning the poor performance of the clutch in chassis 7-CA, comparing it to model 49-GB.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 20\3\ Scan057 | |
| Date | 9th September 1916 | |
| R.R. 225 a (400 T) S.C. 538. 15-5-16. G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 1546. R14/W9916. September 9th 1916. EXTRACT FROM RE CHASSIS NO -7CA. X.964 CLUTCH. I was much surprised that the clutch was so bad. I found it propped open with a piece of wood, which does not seem to be any great advantage - At any rate it appeared to be no worse after this was neglected. It was not oil retaining as we intended to fit the new series and was altogether very inferior to 49-GB, which has a beautiful [strikethrough]blue[/strikethrough] clutch, and has remained so without frequent oiling or propping open. One point has occurred to me that, perhaps 7-CA having been in use a longer time has burnt or rubbed down harder in the fabric than 49-GB, which has only been used a few thousand miles. Anyway it is necessary to account for the entirely inferiority of 7-CA, over 49-GB, unless it be the better oil retaining of [strikethrough]Tx[/strikethrough] 49-GB. This suggests that we add the oil retaining ring without altering the clutch otherwise. | ||