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).
Article from 'The Motor' magazine titled 'Post War Inspiration', discussing parallels between car design, focusing on the Bentley, and architectural styles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\5\ scan0298 | |
| Date | 16th April 1941 | |
| The Motor B.P. 214 April 16, 1941. Post War Inspiration Contd. HARMONIOUS CONTRAST. This view shows well the possibility of blending together two widely different styles of architecture, a course which may have to be followed in many English cities after the war. Here, King's Chapel (1466) stands adjacent to the Fellows' Building designed by Gibb in the early 18th century. squeal from the tyres. 'It was a revelation in braking.' "Everyone wants to know, of course, how the Bentley compares with other cars. Comparisons in these matters are notoriously difficult; the type of coachwork, road conditions, and even the driver's mood are so apt to influence the decision where several cars have outstanding merits. I can recall two French saloon cars that I flung about with slightly more verve than one would employ with the Bentley. But both had ultra-low coachwork, in which it was difficult to wear one's hair, much less a hat, and their progress was accompanied by an amount of noise and mechanical clatter which forbids one to consider them in the same class. Moreover, their road-holding was only achieved at a sacrifice of comfort at moderate speeds. Both had higher all-out speeds than the Bentley, yet over 200 miles I would not expect to record a higher average in either and over 500 miles I would be fairly certain of maintaining a higher average in the Bentley. "In making a comparison with another excellent and fast car, one knowledgeable driver remarked that he had had accidents on both and preferred to have an accident on the Bentley. Allowing for his picturesque habits of speech—that is to say, he has been known to enter a 50-m.p.h. corner at 70 m.p.h.—in both the ensuing process of adjustment has shown the Bentley to advantage. "As for the previous 4¼-litre Bentley, I was not one of its more fervent admirers, but, whether you liked it or not, this new car must be accounted vastly superior. "Ideals in cars vary enormously. Surely the highest conception of an automobile is that it shall enable a man to be somewhere else with the minimum loss of time and energy; with the maximum of speed and comfort, silence, safety and enjoyment. I believe the Mark V Bentley more nearly approaches this ideal than any other motorcar yet built." Now, as to the other object of our journey. One of the most striking things is the manner in which the eye readily accepts as of an approximately equal antiquity, buildings which originated a century or two apart. Consider, for instance, that glory of Perpendicular architecture — King's Chapel. This, as everyone knows, is a magnificent example of the late Gothic style and was begun about the middle of the 15th century. A picture shows the eastern end and in the distance, matching it with no affront, the Senate House, the work of Gibb, three centuries later and a purely Classic building and style. Similarly, if one goes along the backs one can see another juxtaposition of Gothic and Gibb, the Chapel and the Fellows' Building shown in an illustration. The contrast is in no way offensive to the artistic eye. Both, of course, have the mellowness of time upon them, but, this apart, they surely prove that two widely differing things, if first-class in themselves can live together without quarrelling. A further example of this may be seen in the recent quadrangle designed by Maufe and added to St.{Capt. P. R. Strong} John's. This college contains a mixture of architectural styles and periods that are at least as striking as those at King's of which I have just written. Additionally, here is an entirely new building, yet no one can gainsay that it does not hold its own with any other part of one of Cambridge's largest colleges. In St.{Capt. P. R. Strong} John's the new building is a direct addition to the older ones. In some cases, however, the colleges have solved their ''Living Room'' problem in rather a different style. Clare, for instance, has built an entirely new structure. The design by Sir Giles Scott makes an appeal as being one of the most attractive buildings in the entire University. Immediately behind it, and a product of the same architect, is a great essay in inspiration and magnificence—the University library. In their various ways these two prove beyond doubt that we need not look to the past nor need we reconstruct on an out-worn pattern. Moreover, without ruthlessly demolishing buildings that may be intact and which represent history in brick and stone, we can, in the country generally, follow the policy of continuous improvement so well exemplified by Cambridge University. Thus, with inspiration springing from the past, yet looking strongly and sanely to the future, we shall build in good accord with the best English traditions. NEW OUTLOOK. In the search for efficiency, new styles in cars and architecture will be a feature of the post-war years. Above is an exclusive picture of the Bentley Corniche, a car capable of carrying four people in comfort at speeds in excess of 120 m.p.h. A14 | ||