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 a customer suggesting an electrical control to change the gearing for high-speed travel.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\2\ scan0236 | |
| Date | 15th June 1937 | |
| 1245- Bentley Motors Ltd. Derby..........Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Showrooms Sr/Dn3/MLG.15.6.37 I give you hereunder, translation of a letter I have received from our customer Mr. Edmond Balay who owns a 3½ litre Bentley car :- " I shall send you shortly my Bentley car for examination, more by excess of prudence than by necessity, in order to be quite sure that everything is working perfectly so that I shall derive every pleasure from the car. " As you know, I have frequently to go on trips in the South West of France, and in Italy, I drive on roads which are very straight and wide, also on the autostrades, where it is possible whilst being very prudent, to travel at 110 kms an hour and even more for a length of time varying from 10 minutes to 1 hour 1.½ hour. " In Germany, now that they have splendid roads and autostrades, it is also possible to travel in perfect security at high speeds. " I do not pretend to tell you something you do not know, but merely wish to submit to you an idea which occured to me. " Nursing the engine does not harmonize with prolonged high speeds corresponding to from 3500 to 4000 rvs minute. Would it not be possible for your firm to equip cars with an electrical control such as is to be found on several American makes of car, enabling one by a lever on the steering wheel to change the gearing of the rear axle ratio and consequently travel at high speeds whilst reducing the revs by 1000 to 1500 thereby reducing the wear and tear accordingly. " In order that practical results may be derived from the modification above referred to, it would be necessary without having to touch the change speed mechanism to be able instantly to fit on one or the other gears of the rear axle some electric component part which should work perfectly seeing that as it would only be used occasionally the wear would not be great. " This is merely a suggestion on my part which I think might be likely to make your cars still more appreciated." Would you kindly let me know what you think of this suggestion so that we may be able to send a suitable reply to Mr. Edmond Balay. "Sr" h PS- I thought this was rather interesting as this proves we are working in the right direction. "Sr" h | ||