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 to Borg & Beck concerning unsatisfactory 10' clutches fitted to Bentley cars, detailing service issues and a proposed agreement.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 129\3\ scan0304 | |
| Date | 20th June 1936 | |
| X110 Exptl. Dept. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}6/KW. 20th June, 1936. The Borg & Beck Co. Ltd., Tachbrook Road, Leamington Spa. For the attention of Mr. Armitage. Dear Sirs, Confirming our discussion on the 10" Borg and Beck clutch as fitted to the Bentley. The present position is that the majority of these units that have been delivered to the Works are unsatisfactory, both with regard to the thickness variation in the friction discs and the finger setting. Furthermore, in service these clutches are not giving satisfaction. We have three trials cars running in England and one on the Continent, and three out of these four cars have been returned to us with clutch jagger. At present we have one of these cars in for the second time, and we left the clutch with you yesterday. From our knowledge of the problem we believe that the clutches at present being fitted are all likely to cause trouble in service. The only reason that they are being fitted to the cars is that we are working from hand to mouth on the supply of clutches, and consequently cannot return those that are defective to you without stopping the output. Yesterday we mutually agreed that this was not a satisfactory situation from either Company's point of view. With a view to remedying the present state of affairs the following agreement was reached - | ||