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).
Letter regarding an unfortunate incident with chassis B.100.HK owned by customer Pierre Michelin.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\2\ scan0168 | |
| Date | 1st April 1937 | |
| To Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Grys. Derby. 1245 Levallois SrIO/ET.1.4.37 Re: CHASSIS B.100.HK{Col. T. Harker - Sales} - Pierre MICHELIN I mentioned this matter to Leslie on the telephone this afternoon. We are most unfortunate with this customer who, as you know, is part owner of Michelin's, Manager and Director and Chief Engineer of Citroëns{Norman Scott}, of which Messrs. Michelin are now also part owners. He therefore knows something about cars. I can say no more than has been said by VA. in his VAI/ET.31.3.37. The great snag is that it should happen to Mr. MICHELIN! As you know, this is a car to which we paid particular attention, and we had only recently tightened up the main bearings and fitted solid RR.56 bearings. The car was running particularly well and the oil pressure was very good for a car fitted with a small pump, i.e. about 25 lbs. We also tested the car over 200 Kms. at speeds varying between 3500 and 4000 r.p.m. Prior to this latest "catastrophe" to use the words of Mr. Michelin, he had had endless trouble with the gearbox and we had fitted a new one, which incidentally is now quite satisfactory. I am sending you a translation of the letter he sent me, which speaks for itself, and I would only add to this that, when the accident occurred, the car was being followed by an II H.P. Citroën in which were two of his engineers. The speed could not, therefore, have been excessive. Sr. | ||