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).
Extract from a report on the necessity of the gearbox undershield, concluding it could be removed to save manufacturing costs.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\U\May1930-July1930\ Scan159 | |
| Date | 23th July 1930 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to Ey. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/MJ.23.7.30. X7310 X79412 24-EX. The following is an extract from G.W.Hancock's report 20.7.30. We are confirming this on other cars. :- "Re. the gearbox undershield. We are of the opinion that the undershield now fitted under the flywheel case and gearbox could without deterioration to the car be entirely done away with. It was of use when the drive between the clutch and gearbox was open and the servo motor in a lower position; but with the new design of all enclosed drive and servo motor higher up, there is actually no need for an undershield. We have been running without ours ever since the exhaust failed, because it fouled the temporary exhaust fitted, and we have had two days of very bad wet weather, and did not observe any dirt or water interfere with any of the working parts or splash up on to the engine or the top of the gearbox. The front of the starter motor was certainly covered with mud, but upon taking the cover off we could not find any dirt or water had entered. This is the only part that might suffer. We do not claim any other advantages in taking it off, but as it is an expensive item to make and fit, and its uses are almost valueless, a considerable saving in the cost of manufacturing the car would ensue." GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||