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).
Page of reader correspondence from a motoring magazine discussing car problems, performance, and marque comparisons.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\5\ scan0234 | |
| Date | 21th February 1941 | |
| 180 PUBLICITY FILE The Autocar February 21st, 1941 Correspondence a "flick." I am not in the habit of stopping the engine on a rich mixture. I have found that starting on the switch surprises some experienced motorists, and one almost credited my car with being possessed of some supernatural power! Possibly some of the makers' type names may encourage this belief. I have not personally experienced starting on the switch on any other make of car (I have no experience of the Bentley), but I have, on a few occasions, experienced a "heave," such as Mr. Cook describes, on a Ford T model (with trembler coils). A three-speed Silver Ghost, fitted with a trembler coil, used to start from cold on the switch after a few preliminary pull-ups with the starting handle before switching on. Now here is a problem on the peculiar behaviour of a car which some of your readers may care to solve. Some years ago I bought a second-hand Talbot at about 35,000 miles. One day one of the head lamp bulbs failed. I drove to the garage where I used to deal regularly and from which I bought the car, and asked them to fit a new bulb, which they did. Immediately the new bulb was put in it lit up, though the switch was off. For most of the afternoon they worked on the car, trying to find out why that head lamp would not go out. I took the car away in the evening and solved the problem myself. I enclose the answer on a separate sheet of paper, in case you care to publish it at a later date. All the wiring, switches, etc., were in good condition. I was very amused to read in your columns recently an American opinion that most modern cars look like "so many doughnuts," a description that I thought is most apt. It is refreshing to read in The Autocar (which I have read for about twenty years) of cars with individuality, enthusiasts' self-built machines, Mr. Lycett's Bentley, etc. I think that your correspondent "Omega" [49974] is a little hard when he describes the latter car as "absurd." Better to call it a "fine old car," though Mr. Lycett will probably write to say that his car does not grow old. Thank goodness we don't all rush to buy a new car every year. Many people get a great deal of fun, and achieve varying degrees of success, from racing or competing with cars which are far from being the latest model. If it pleases and suits them to do so, by all means let them! Live and let live. I would qualify this by saying that I think that some Rally competitors need to mend their manners. I have seen some shocking driving by some people taking part in these events, and I believe that a number of competitors have been involved in seemingly unnecessary accidents. AMPHIBIAN. London, S.W.1. [Readers will no doubt be interested to offer solutions of the electrical problem raised, and our correspondent's own explanation will be published in due course.—ED.{J. L. Edwards}] "TALKING OF SPORTS CARS" When Bentley Met Alfa-Romeo [49994.]—Why "Omega" [49974] should have considered Mr. John P. Bennett's remarks [49919] "most apt" is not clear. Rather, it appeared to me, Mr. Bennett had based his case on a false premise. If it appears that "I always have an argument ready to deal with any statement" it is in no wise due to readiness of wit, but to the absurdity of many of the statements. Nor can I exonerate "Omega," who, of his own choice, names the T.T. Bentley and the 2.9-litre supercharged Alfa-Romeo as cars my Bentley "cannot attempt to compete with." Well, already he is better informed as to its chances against the former, and with regard to the latter, the most potent sports Alfa-Romeo, by quite a margin, yet seen in this country, a Mille Miglia car on which an amount of additional money had been successfully expended is unquestionably Hugh Hunter's. The cars met twice (in 1939). First on the wet at Syston Park (by invitation), not at all the course, narrow and bumpy as it is, suited to an absurd machine, grossly over-engined for any purpose on the roads, with an out-of-date chassis, etc., etc., etc." Yet, in spite of all these disadvantages, plus the handicap of a change from second to third which could be effected only by double-declutching, the Bentley won comfortably, as it did on the occasion of the second meeting, in the dry, at Lewes. Indeed, Mr. Hunter has ascended Lewes faster as a passenger in my car than driving solo in his own. Incidentally, this grossly over-engined Bentley does 13-14 m.p.g. against the Alfa's 10-11 m.p.g. Further, the engine has not failed me once in 70,000 miles. That the Bentley's chances in the Mille Miglia would be little brighter than those of the thinly disguised racing Alfas in a drive across London I am prepared to concede. The Bentley was my all-purpose hack, the cylinder block not having been raised for nearly two years prior to the car taking the British Class B standing-start mile record. Matters may be placed in truer perspective if I mention that I am not destitute of experience with modern cars, having in commission two all-round independently sprung cars, one of them owned since 1939. In conclusion (and in conclusion it really is), if I had become The Autocar's "resident correspondent"—a distinction thrust upon me, surely, by the inexactitudes of others—then, as representing "Omega's" chances of succeeding me, I consider his choice of nom de plume most apt. Yet more appropriate would be "Alfa, Bentley (T.T.), Omega." F.{Mr Friese} LYCETT. London, S.W.5. A Matter of Personal Choice [49995.]—Your correspondent "Omega's" statement [49974] that Mr. Lycett's Bentley is grossly over-engined is interesting in view of the fact that the Phantom III Rolls-Royce has, I believe, a capacity of 7,340 c.c. Does his remark apply equally to the Rolls? If Mr. Lycett chooses to have a light two-seater body instead of the more practical seven-seater saloon, that, surely, is his affair. I don't know that anyone is interested in "Omega's" imaginings, but if it comes to that I have no difficulty in imagining the 8-litre winning the Mille Miglia, nor am I persuaded that the Bentley would not give a good account of itself over the Ards circuit. Finally, I have never ridden in Mr. Lycett's car, but I yield to no one in my admiration of it. A.{Mr Adams} W. HILLYARD. Woking, Surrey. SUMMARY OF CORRESPONDENCE RACING BOOKS.—"D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} F.{Mr Friese} L.," Bourne End, Bucks, is anxious to obtain "Wheels at Speed," by Prince Chula, and "Full Throttle," by Sir Henry Birkin. BACK NUMBERS.—Having seen various appeals published in The Autocar lately for back numbers, Mr. F.{Mr Friese} R.{Sir Henry Royce} Dickinson, Poynton, Cheshire, is willing to dispose, in bulk, of copies dating from August 7th, 1936, to September 8th, 1939, inclusive, with the exception of those dated August 14th, September 4th, December 4th and 25th, 1936. BOOKS for MOTORISTS Issued in conjunction with "THE AUTOCAR" Net Price. By Post. The Autocar Handbook ... 3/- 3/5 The Autocar Guide for the "L" Driver ... 1/- 1/2 Look After Your Car... ... 2/6 2/9 The Motor Vehicle ... ... 10/6 11/1 Know Your Car ... ... 1/6 1/8 Motor Driving Made Easy ... 2/6 2/10 More Sketches by Casque ... 2/- 2/3 Automobile Electrical Equipment ... 10/6 11/1 The Modern Diesel ... ... 3/6 3/11 The Autocar Register ... ... 3/- 3/5 By P. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Heldt, U.S.A. : High Speed Combustion Engines ... 42/- 42/7 Motor Vehicles and Tractors ... 42/- 42/7 Fuels and Carburettors... ... 18/- 18/7 High Speed Diesel Engines ... 27/- 27/7 Full particulars of any of the above books will be sent on application. Obtainable from Leading Booksellers and Railway Bookstalls or direct (remittance with order) from ILIFFE & SONS LTD., Dorset House, Stamford Street, London, S.E.1 A26 | ||