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).
Performance improvements from fitting a lower geared axle.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\1\ Scan099 | |
| Date | 27th October 1919 | |
| R.R. 235A (500 T) (S.D. 408. 26-4-17.) Bm. 2/156/13. X.4299 Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} - from Hm. {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} Hm {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} 12/W27.10.19. Re Lower geared Axle. We found there was a noticeable improvement in the hill climbing, when the lower geared axle was fitted. The car just managed to climb Hazelwood Hill on the top gear, coming down to about 10 miles per hour. A great improvement is noticed in the speed of the car on hills with a lower gradient than Hazelwood Hill. On ones such as that coming into Allestree from Duffield, there is a very marked improvement showing. Another point was the speed in which the car comes [reaches is struck out] 60 miles per hour, is noticeably better than the higher geared axle, and it is very good in this respect. We have returned the axle to you, for you to carry out the experiments. I think that if we decide to fit this type of axle to Mr. Mills' car, we should also try to make his engine more powerful at slow speeds. Will you let me know later when your experiments are completed, and what suggestions you can let me have with a view to satisfying Mr. Mills? Hm. {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} 600 | ||