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).
Issues with the New Phantom's sliding gear control, specifically the weak centralizing force of the gear lever.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 66\4\ scan0243 | |
| Date | 6th December 1927 | |
| S/W. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} Copy to:- Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} PN.{Mr Northey} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X8310 CWB3/GM/6.12.27. NEW PHANTOMCodename for PHANTOM I. SLIDING GEAR CONTROL. We have now had some considerable experience of the new gear control mechanism of the new PhantomCodename for PHANTOM I. There is one feature of this which is not considered satisfactory as it is liable to cause errors in operation and may also lead to the car being inadvertently put into gear. The point referred to is the absence of strong and positive centralisation of the gear lever in neutral. It is found in practice that on many occasions when withdrawing a gear that owing to the absence of this centralising force it is very difficult to tell without looking when the lever is in neutral and very often the clutch is let in again before the gear is completely withdrawn, with very annoying results. It is also found that it is quite possible, without being aware of the fact, to put the car into gear when getting out of the offside front door, simply by brushing against the lever with the leg. It is considered that both these points would be remedied if a stronger centralising force were available. Will you please take up the matter with the departments concerned and advise me of the results of so doing. CWB. CWB. | ||