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 regarding a streamline car's completion, potential trials for the Le Mans race, and spare wheel placement on Bentley cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\1\ scan0259 | |
| Date | 30th May 1938 | |
| W/P. Sr. from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Dear Sr., I hear from Hancock that the streamline car is approaching completion. You know I am most interested in this, and hope to come over and see how it performs, if it fulfils the expectations aroused by the wind tunnel tests. I hope that the owner will not be so unreasonable as to expect to use his car the first two or three months after it is finished. I wonder whether the new car might be completed to enable trials thereon to coincide with the Le Mans race? With regard to the spare wheels on the existing Bentley cars, I have always preferred the wheel at the back. The spare wheel carrier is not a rigid job, and I think it accentuates the impression of bad suspension on poor roads. On the other hand if your clients are anxious to have a good deal of luggage accommodation, then, of course, the advantage of putting the spare wheel on the side is considerable. I think it is a bad thing to provide a lot of luggage accommodation and then stick the spare wheel on the back with a good deal of over-hang. Of course, all our new cars are having the spare wheels at the side and with a rigid frame, this gives very satisfactory results. You will be pleased to hear that BIII is now by far the nicest car to handle that I have ever driven. Kind regards to Mrs. Sr., . Yours sincerely, | ||