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).
Responding to issues with Jack Barclay's car, specifically clutch slipping and gear lever rattle.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 88\1\ scan0053 | |
| Date | 7th February 1934 | |
| X7961 [illegible] [illegible] G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} Mx{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer}9/T7.2.34. Re. Jack Barclay's Car - B-29-AE With reference to the two items in your memo Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}2/R6.2.34 - (1) Clutch Slipping. We have dismantled the clutch and find that the friction disc is badly scored and distorted, and the Ferodo discs are worn. I am sending you the parts referred to for your inspection. We have had two similar cases previously on London Trials Cars B.15.AB & B.7.AB both of which have been reported to the Exp.Dept. and they have seen the condition of the parts. It would seem in view of this evidence that in the hands of some people and under certain conditions, such as driving in London traffic, that the clutch has not sufficient margin of safety. We do not experience this trouble ourselves during testing. With reference to Mr Barclay's opinion that he thought the trouble was due to insufficient clearance left between the clutch pedal arm and the floorboard, this is the effect of the clutch slipping, and wear and tear taking place and is not the primary cause. (2) Rattle of the Change Speed Lever on the over-run. We have no definite cure for this - it is a troublesome feature on all our cars and is not confined to the Bentley. We will do what we can to improve this point. | ||