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).
Translated letter from Pierre Michelin to Mr. Sleator reporting a car breakdown due to a run bearing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\2\ scan0169 | |
| Date | 29th March 1937 | |
| Translation. ----------- Pierre Michelin. --------------- 29 March 1937. Dear Mr Sleator, Another catastrophy ! I think that the car has run a bearing. All was normal, engine warm at 40 kms from Pontoise on the way to Rouen. Oil pressure normal - 3800 revs per minute - I had to proceed in this state as far as Rouen. I hope that the crankshaft has not suffered. I do not understand what has happened? I have always run at 4000 revs per minute - never less nor more.- <strike>Twice I exceeded 1000 revs</strike> a little less than when we were together (4200 revs) Twice I exceeded 4000 revs over two to three kilometres during the whole life of the car, just to see, but not on Saturday morning. Either one cannot normally run at 4000 revs or an accident happened - white metal crumpled - or an oil pipe broken. In any case you must tell me. You told me to do 4000 revs and I ran at this engine speed. If the answer is 3500, I should know. I have a horror of breaking mechanics, and detest getting stuck on the road. The car is at Rouen, and I did not dare ask it to stand up to another 100 kms in that state. I must be at Clermont for the week-end. You must arrange to collect the car - the gearbox is O.K. Yours sincerely, (Pierre Michelin). | ||