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).
Testing of an automatic overdrive gearbox from a Studebaker and plans for fitting it to a car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 136\2\ scan0025 | |
| Date | 26th January 1939 | |
| 1153 SECRET. To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}7/MH.{M. Huckerby}26.1.39. c. Ms. c. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Hdy.{William Hardy} AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE. SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}VE.23.1.39. A gearbox such as on the Studebaker tried by Sales has now arrived in Derby. The free wheel which Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} mentions is only present below 30 m.p.h. in direct gear. In order that we shall get the best impression from it we are arranging to fit it to a car of the rationalised programme. As soon as the necessary parts are ready we shall decide which car is best suited to the experiment, i.e. which B.V. or which B.50. We think it will be 2 to 3 months before the experiment is complete but it will also incorporate a remote change speed on the steering column, parts for which we also obtained from America. At this stage it would be as well to point out that the overdrive unit is complicated, and when made by R.R. will not be cheap. If fitted in addition to our present 4 speed box or a new R.R. 3 speed box the result will cost more than now. We are trying next week the new De Normanville overdrive and will report on its functioning after the test. We understand that at no time does the car free-wheel. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} | ||