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).
Recommending the standardisation of a 14-tooth axle to improve vehicle power and address customer complaints.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\1\ Scan350 | |
| Date | 7th July 1921 | |
| To R. {Sir Henry Royce} from Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to CJ. c. to E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Da. {Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to BY. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Wor. {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to EWT. for R.R. Inc. X4299 Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 7/LG7.7.21. RE. 14-TOOTH AXLE. X4299 We are sending round a standardisation sheet for the above axle. We recommend that we put in hand 100 sets of these gears. We have 14-tooth axles running about on two experimental cars. We are convinced that from speeds up to 60 M.P.H. no disadvantages can be noticed with the 14-tooth axle, i.e. the engine does not sound fussy or appear distressed in any way. P.N. confirmed this when he tested 1.EX Car at Derby. We are running a 14-tooth axle on 1.EX Car which is a light open-touring car. On there, we like it. We are sure that a large number of our customers would be pleased with cars fitted with the 14-tooth axle especially those with cars which are fitted with a heavy body. We should estimate that 80% of the complaints we have received from owners of post-war cars have been because of lack of power. Fitting the 14-tooth axle gives a substantial increase in power at all speeds up to 80 M.P.H. Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||