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).
Extract from a report on a Bentley car fitted with smaller rear wheels and Dunlop tyres, detailing handling and ride characteristics.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 157\2\ scan0130 | |
| Date | 17th February 1937 | |
| 1332 Dunlop X Ben tyres S/W. Bs{A J. Barnes - Assistant Manager} c. to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}14/KW 17.2.37. The following extract from a report on a Bentley, the property of Captain V.H.Summers of Vickers Ltd. will probably interest you. His car is B-152-HK{Col. T. Harker - Sales} :- " This owner has fitted two small rear road wheels, and " these are fitted with 7.00 x 16 Dunlop tyres, as he is " interested in making experiments regarding the riding. " I tried the car to-day with the recommended pressures " of 25 lbs and found one got a remarkably comfortable " ride at all speeds. The car was delightful to handle " at speeds between 80 and 90 on bends, the only noticeable " thing at this speed being that apparently the caster " action of the steering had been slightly reduced, and " there was not the tendency to over-correct slightly. " any indication of sliding of the rear wheels. There was, " however, an increase of tyre noise, which might be " objectionable to many motorists. There was quite " definitely no indication of roll and it is interesting to " note that the E.R.A. used identical tyres when breaking " the mountain record at Brooklands. " When I took the car out I thought there would probably " be a tendency to pitching as we had these big tyres on " the back and standard tyres on the front, but there was " no trace of this, and the braking appeared to be well up " to standard if not better. " Capt.Summers is proposing to carry out tests at various " pressures on these tyres to see if he cannot obviate " part of the tyre squeal, and still improve the riding. " He was most enthusiastic about the car. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} | ||