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/ | ||