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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).
Vapour lock issues experienced in a Bentley chassis during the Grand Prix in Nice.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 27a\1\  Scan323
Date  20th September 1935
  
Rolls-Royce Ltd.
Derby........Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}

Showrooms
Sr/DnII/MLG.20.9.35 x1245
[Handwritten]: File

Re- Vapour lock
----------------

I had a conversation with [Signature over name] Mr. Charles Faroux the other day on the subject of vapour lock on Bentley chassis which matter he went into very thoroughly when he experienced a little trouble of this sort with B-I-CW which we lent him for the Grand Prix, Nice, and I enclose herewith some readings which he took himself when using the above car.

Mr. Faroux found that a temporary solution was to fit a wet rag on the petrol pump, but this was only satisfactory for a few minutes and the process had to be repeated.

Mr. Faroux told me he had had a talk with Birkitt of Hispano-Suiza on this subject and that they have been experiencing the same trouble on their cars, although they are fitted with petrol pump and filters on the side member of their chassis. Birkitt told him that he was going to scrap the electrical pump and fit one worked mechanically at the back of the radiator forward of the engine so that it will be properly ventilated.

[Handwritten in red]: Bowering Some of these temperatures seem like "Death Valley" figures R.M.

[Handwritten in blue]: "Sr" M
  
  


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