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 from the Managing Director of Wellworthy Piston Rings regarding a sheared rear axle shaft on his Bentley.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 89\5\ scan0081 | |
| Date | 28th March 1940 | |
| WORKS TELEPHONE LYMINGTON 520 WORKS TELEGRAMS "WELLWORTHY" PRIVATE TELEPHONE LYMINGTON 232 MANAGING DIRECTOR'S OFFICE WELLWORTHY PISTON RINGS LTD., LYMINGTON HANTS JH/KES 28th March, 1940. W. A.{Mr Adams} Robotham, Esq., Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., DERBY. My dear Robotham, I had the bad luck last week to get stranded with my Bentley. The near-side rear axle shaft sheared off and I had to be towed home. I am enclosing you the broken end. From what our Laboratory tells me there is nothing wrong with the steel. Just for your own information, I am sending you a copy of the analysis. What I do want to know from you is this. If there have been a number of cracks forming along the splines in the ordinary course of usage, had I not better have the other shaft out for safety's sake and send it to you. As the near-side rear axle shaft went, I don't want to get stranded a second time. Also, do I get a free replacement for these? Yours sincerely, John Howlett 261 321 | ||