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).
Directive to change the gearbox specification for the Bentley 5-B-IV from a Peregrine to a standard 20/25 gearbox due to production issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\3\ scan0015 | |
| Date | 2nd June 1934 | |
| To RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} X4553 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}17/KW. 2. 6. 34. 5-B-IV. Referring to our specification for Bentley 5, Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gxy.15/KW.18.5.34, originally we specified a Peregrine Gearbox. It has now been decided that it is not worth while putting the Peregrine box into production because a separate gearbox is being designed for the Bentley, and it would therefore not be worth while tuning up for a Peregrine box which might only last for a few hundred cars. Additionally, there are serious difficulties in getting the Peregrine Servo to function. In view of this we would like you to build 5-B-IV with a standard 20/25 gearbox, and a brake layout as on 3-B-IV. Will you please follow it with a magnesium casting for the gearbox and a magnesium clutch pin, as these have successfully completed 10,000 miles on G.W.H's car. This will save as much weight as the Peregrine Gearbox. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||