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).
Typed letter critiquing the engine and chassis design of competitor Austin.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 124\4\ scan0004 | |
| Date | 18th December 1912 | |
| FHR6/H181212 COPY. Mr Wormald GRAND HOTEL DU CANADEL. Par le Lavandou, (VAR) 18th December 1912. Mr Johnson from F.H.R. I have received a letter from you with reference to the Austin engine. You state they are making a 4" engine, I suppose it is a 6 cylinder engine to which you refer, and you suggest we ought to make a 4 1/2" engine with enclosed valves. In another letter I have shown reasons why we are proposing a 4" engine for our new model. I do not think the Austin people should influence our programme much. You very kindly sent me particulars of the new chassis, which they have on show at Paris, from a cutting in the paper. I think their new arrangements are very poor. They probably will work better than the old owing perhaps to their having given up that little torque rod which must have been an abomination. With reference to their mounting the rear end of gear box in rubber bush, I cannot believe this is right as rubber in the presence of oil gets into a very bad state in a year's time. Also I should not have expected this to be of much value. Referring to their system of under frame I think it is a mistake to transmit the torque of the gear box when on the low gear and on the reverse right to the X1054 | ||