Rolls-Royce Archives
         « Prev  Box Series  Next »        

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).
Letter from India Tyre & Rubber Co. discussing tyre options for a Bentley intended for colonial use.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 29\4\  Scan240
Date  6th December 1934
  
HEAD OFFICE AND FACTORY: INCHINNAN, RENFREWSHIRE

INDIA TYRE & RUBBER COMPANY LTD.

MILEAGE DEPARTMENT (AREA "B")
80 CLAPHAM ROAD LONDON, S.W.9

TELEPHONES : RELIANCE 2662/3

OUR REF. R/WBT
YOUR REF. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}11/KW.

6th December, 1934.

W.A. ROBOTHAM, ESQ.,
Experimental Department,
Messrs. Rolls-Royce, Ltd.,
DERBY.

Dear Robotham,

Many thanks for your letter of December 5th.

As regards the Bentley to be used under Colonial conditions, I am forwarding a copy of your letter to Mr. Worth asking him for his expert guidance in the matter, and when I have received his reply I should very much like to call and see you at Derby in order that I may explain matters fully. I wonder what day next week would suit you best? Could you lunch with me if I came on Thursday, December 13th, or Friday, December 14th, when we could have a talk? or any day except Tues: 18th of the week following would suit me just as well.

The present size for the Bentley is 5.50-18, fitted, I believe I am right in saying, on a 4" rim. You could, I think, fit a 6.00-18, but we should recommend a 4½" rim for this fitment. The 6.00-18 cover and tube is about 4 lbs. heavier than the 5.50-18 cover and tube; and would only raise the height of the car .34".

You might possibly fit a 6.00-19 cover - this, of course, would mean a different size wheel. The difference in weight between this cover and tube and the 5.50-18 cover and tube is 5½ lbs; and would raise the height of the car .89".

Personally, I would be inclined to suggest that you fit an AERO CUSHION tyre. This would also mean a new wheel, as the tyre is of very much larger section; and has greater resilience. Perhaps you will remember that when Mr. Thorne, Mr. Worth and myself had the pleasure of calling upon you, we brought you a cover of this sort for you to see (I believe it was 6.50-16), and we were anxious that you should try this tyre on a Bentley. I believe it possible that with this tyre you would find a slightly better "tractive" effort under Colonial conditions.

However/
  
  


Copyright Sustain 2025, All Rights Reserved.    whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble
An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙