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 the potential sale of an ex-Indian trials Bentley car to a Mr. Cunningham, comparing it to his Cadillac.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 89\3\ scan0001 | |
| Date | 7th August 1936 | |
| S/W. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} --- Bly{B. W. Bleaney - Bentley Sales}/16/SM. 7.8.36. ------------------- Re: Mr. Cunningham, Almond's Hotel, Clifford Street, W.1 Confirming our telephone conversation of this morning, I am very glad that there is a possibility of your being able to meet this gentleman because I feel that you could probably encourage him to consider the purchase of a 4 1/4-litre Bentley later on. After our conversation however, we rather persuaded him to purchase the ex Indian trials open car, Chassis No. B.72.BN{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington}, which has not controllable shock-absorbers, he having agreed to buy, if any special tuning we can do to the engine is carried out. I am hoping to hear by to-morrow morning whether there is a high compression head available, as we have undertaken to complete the work on the engine and coachwork by the end of the month and deliver the car to him in Scotland. Concerning the other matter, his Cadillac car is a series 60 V.8. It is a 36 h.p. with a special size wheelbase, namely 121 ins., and cost in the U.S.A. £400 retail. The car is fitted with a Saloon body and the shipping weight was 3,900 lbs. This car, in spite of additional weight, has certainly the acceleration of the 4 1/4-litre Bentley even at eighty miles per hour. This is in comparison with our Demonstration car yesterday. Mr. Cunningham would be glad if you could visit him whilst in Scotland, where you could see and try his car and also discuss points in general. I think his family has a R.R. in the States and also that they must be very wealthy as they have a number of cars over there and here. They evidently rent Lord Airlie's place every year for shooting, namely Cortachy Castle, Kirriemuir. As mentioned to you, he would be very glad for you to go over there and visit him and possibly do a little shooting. [Handwritten note in margin]: Infarshire [Handwritten notes at bottom]: New Clutch Casing New Starter Pinion | ||