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).
Responding to a complaint from Mr. William Arnold regarding issues with the Bentley Jack.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 139\2\ scan0382 | |
| Date | 13th November 1935 | |
| W/S - C. X1166 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 21/KW.13.11.35. Mr. William Arnold - Bentley Jack. With reference to C1/C.12.11.35. and the attached letters from William Arnold, we have to admit that Mr. Arnold is quite correct in saying that the Jack will not go under the jacking pad when the tyre is off the rim. Unless however, the road springs on the car are weaker than standard, or the car is on a slope, or an attempt is made to jack up the car in a fully laden condition, the jack will go under the pad when the deflated tyre does not leave the rim. It is actually slightly shorter than our old standard jack, about which I personally have not had any serious complaints. In spite of the fact that we ourselves have never had a case where the tyre has come off the rim, and an exhaustive test by the Dunlop Co. showed that it was almost impossible to get the tyre off the rim unless the car was reversed after puncturing had taken place, we agree that the jack pad should be so designed that an eventuality of this sort is catered for. We are endeavouring to do this, but it is not easy. Actually it is possible to put the jack under the spring shackle with the tyre off the rim and jack up from there. We agree that this is not a satisfactory state of affairs. We do not agree that this is not the type of jack which should be supplied with such a chassis. It is far easier to work than the jack which it replaces; in fact it is easier to work than any manually operated jack we have previously had. If a lady objects to the effort required to manipulate this jack, she will certainly object to the effort required in removing the dirty wheel and fitting the spare. If you try the jack yourself and compare it with either the Phantom jack or the old Bentley jack, we think you will agree with what we say. | ||