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).
Customer issues regarding bearings on two specific Bentley chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\3\ scan0078 | |
| Date | 8th September 1936 | |
| Bentley Motors (1931) Ltd., LONDON...............Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Sr3/Crn.8.9.36. BEARINGS ON BENTLEY CHASSIS. -------------------------- In answer to the query raised in your memo Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}10/E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} 7.9.36, why M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Viturat's chassis was not fitted with lead bronze bearings, as previously stated, we were told not to fit any more of these bearings, owing to the possibility of high oil consumption developing, and Hall's metal, as you know, has not been satisfactory until recently. In any case, we did not consider M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Viturat as a real "batter", and he admits quite frankly that this is the first occasion that he really drove the car at the speed he did. As regards the other car, chassis B.66.EF, this originally belonged to one of our best, if not the best customer, M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Francois Lang. He also owns a Continental, and recently acquired a new 4 1/4 litre Bentley chassis B.122.GA. He traded in B.66.EF, and after checking it over at our Works, we sold it to M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Gratry as being in excellent condition, and naturally still under guarantee. He is a very nice gentleman, and we have every reason to believe that he is a very enthusiastic person about his car. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Gratry had only covered about 3 to 4,000 kilometres with the car when the accident occurred. He informs us that he was travelling in Italy at about 80 m.p.h., when there was a sudden unpleasant rattle. He immediately stopped the engine and, after investigating, reluctantly decided to ship the car back to us by train. During the time M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Lang had B.66.EF in his hands, it was certainly driven fast, but no car could have received more attention than this one. In fact, M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Lang is a customer who spends a tremendous amount of money on the upkeep of his cars and, at times, we almost have to refuse to change the engine oil. Prior to turning in the car, M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Lang spent over Frs.17.000 on supplies and small repairs, and this within the space of one year. We have also noted the last paragraph of your memo, and as soon as we have been successful in obtaining the necessary "passavant" before shipping this engine, we will immediately get it off to Derby. We will write to the department concerned, informing them that the engine number stamped on the crankcase will have to be the same as on the engine we are shipping over. This should not be a difficult matter. Sr. | ||