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).
Gearbox failures in 8-cylinder engine cars and potential solutions to keep them operational.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 97\2\ scan0186 | |
| Date | 27th January 1941 | |
| W/S. C. from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 400 Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}6/ML.27.1.41. General re B.V. (C.4/C.22.1.41.) Try in Gearnotes Since I rang you up with regard to these cars a difficult situation has arisen with regard to gearboxes. As you know, we are running in all about twelve cars with the new type of gearbox and we have had various failures, particularly when the box is used with the 8-cylinder engine on bus work, such as the service which is at present being ran between Belper and Derby. We have designs completed for a strengthened type box which would put the matter right, but at the moment it is not agreed that we can make these new pieces. The result is that the only way to keep these cars on the road is to draw new boxes from chassis which are complete in London. The more B.V's we get on the road, the more gearboxes there are to go wrong and the less there are to use for spare parts. Actually, the car which Barclay is at present running, ought to have its gearbox replaced. I am going to have a talk to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} about this situation in the immediate future, but doubt that they will agree to gearbox parts being fabricated. If we can take the four gearboxes off the Corniche cars then that does give us a reserve. I see no reason at all why Jack Barclay should have more than one B.V. and should be strongly opposed to this suggestion that he should run the Mulliner car as well as the one he has at present. If the Mulliner car is completed and he hands over his present car to us, then I think we have as many Bentley V.{VIENNA} cars running as can be kept on the road, and we shall gradually use up every gearbox which is available. Unless I am wrong, we shall then have the following people running Bentley cars :- Lp.{Mr Lappin} B22AW. Geoffrey Smith. - Jack Barclay. B30AW. Wilmot Breedon. B18AW. Devereux. B24AW. A.N.Other. B34AW. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Dictated but signed in Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}'s absence. | ||