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).
Gear ratios, maximum speeds, and vehicle performance in comparison to Bentley.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65a\3\ scan0286 | |
| Date | 8th May 1931 | |
| -2- R1/M8.5.31 contd. This at present only seems possible if the B.A. ratio is increased as suggested. It must be higher than Bentley for this particular job. We have always been too low geared for maximum speeds. It is not necessary to beat Bentley but at present people think our maximum about 50 M.P.H. and if we could show we were only 5 or 10% slower the average buyer would not mind if we had other valuable qualities. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} and others say definitely that the Bentley, though a good car, is definitely not a R.R. We certainly ought to have 13 and 14 tooth gear for P.2. and 12 and 13 tooth gear for J.1. unless we get the peak at definitely higher revs. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||