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).
Conference report discussing gearboxes, car performance, and shock absorbers.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\V\2January1931-April1931\ Scan063 | |
| Date | 13th January 1931 | |
| -2- A conference was held at the Peahen Hotel after the tests on the cars. All those mentioned in the first part of this note were present. The following items were discussed:- Japan 111 Gearbox. The present design of Japan 111 is arranged with Maybach jaws with a neutral position. After the demonstration on 14-EX. it was agreed that the box in its present state is not one we could sell. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} reported that the Phantom 11 box with the epicyclic third speed should be ready for preliminary tests in about ten days. It will not at that time have the final controls on the column but temporary controls could be arranged. In view of this it was agreed that Japan 111 gearbox as at present designed should be held up until the Phantom 11 has been tested. Maybach Gearbox. We had received a quotation from the Maybach Co., to supply us with a gearbox. It was considered that in view of the results we had obtained on our own car it was not necessary to buy one. Phantom 11 Bugs and Runs. This point was discussed thoroughly, SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} being anxious to know when there would be some improvement available which could be applied to existing cars and to future cars. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} stated that there were a number of promising tests now being carried out and that a report should be issued within the next fourteen days. Shock Absorbers. SS.{S. Smith} raised the question of shock absorbers and he wanted to know what is being done. At the present time we are sending out cars fitted with shock absorbers which we know give trouble in customers hands. It was agreed that the modifications to the existing shock absorbers should be pushed as rapidly as possible and that a set should be run for 50 hours on the bump and then fitted to a car to check up the silence and if then satisfactory they should be standardised for immediate production. In the meantime the Works were to be asked to slow down as much as possible in the production of the present shock absorbers. An. reported that the present Phantom rear will easily fit on to the front of the 25 HP. but there is a certain amount of difficulty in fitting it to the rear of the 25 HP. Hdy.{William Hardy} promised that he would send to Derby at once a scheme showing the modified shock absorbers fitted to the 25 HP. car. | ||