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).
Modifications, testing plans, and production risks for the Bensport car model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\4\ 04-page189 | |
| Date | 8th February 1934 | |
| -2- Ha.6/M.R.8.2.34. Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} The modification to the dynamo drive means an alteration to the crankcase pattern which will make the crankcase different to the 20/25 unless we adopt this same scheme for the 24/25. The question to be decided on this point is that the stand by magneto will have to be left off. The other point which has arisen on Bensport is that the brake equaliser gear has taken a little more time than was expected and it will be the end of this week before E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} issues the drawings to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} We still want to stick to the original programme of sending Bensport to France. The modifications which have been found necessary for the dynamo drive is more of a 'safety first' policy. The same applies to the brake equalising modification. We have therefore arranged that Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} will take the Bensport car to France, crossing over on Friday the 10th.inst. Since this car was on Brooklands we have fitted to it - Higher axle ratio. We are also fitting to it - Rudge Whitworth Wheels. Quiet second speed. As we are going ahead with the material for Bensport it is essential that we get the 10,000 miles test to make sure that there are no hidden faults in the car. It has got to be realised that there is a risk of this because we have got a much lighter chassis than the 24/25 which will average a much higher speed so we do want to know as soon as possible if it is going to be reliable. These alterations mean that we shall have to take a risk in producing the fifteen cars which it has been agreed, with the new parts. It means also that we shall have to run another test in France on the final car. We think this is all to the good as one 10,000 miles test is not nearly enough to prove out the entirely new model. We are going to promise that these modifications should not interfere in any way with the completion of the fifteen cars by July. As regards your note Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}9/R.7.2.33 and Ps.1/T.O.2.33. JW's. comment where he mentions the fundamental axle period, we assume he means crankshaft period. The actual crankshaft fitted to the car which is at Brooklands is not the one we are going to use, it is only one we have available and is fitted with a scheme of balance weights. | ||