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).
Review of the Bentley III's development, covering changes in chassis, engine, and performance compared to earlier models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 97\1\ scan0004 | |
| Date | 23th November 1936 | |
| γ 300gh 400 Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/R.23.11.36. BENTLEY III. Originally it was decided to try this car in two chassis lengths. At the last Conference this decision was altered, and it is now proposed to produce the Bentley III on the existing wheelbase only, but with 3" more body room obtained by moving the engine further forward. It appears to us that Bentley III will be a very different type of car from the original 'Bensport', and in view of this fact it is worth while reviewing the development of the car in some detail. We recollect that the original specification of this chassis was that it was to be inexpensive, noisy so that it would not compete with the Rolls-Royce, and have a small supercharged engine; in fact rather like the 'Alfa Romeo'. Derby disagreed with this specification, and eventually produced a car for trial that was quiet, but with a performance which was as good as any so called sports model reasonably well sprung with good road holding, and a body capable of carrying four people in comfort. The 3½-litre R.R. Bentley started a fashion and was a success from its inception, particularly in attracting owner drivers to whom the Rolls-Royce did not appeal. By the beginning of 1936 the performance of the 3½-litre had begun to cause a certain amount of concern, because the weight of the standard saloon (which represents the great percentage of cars sold) had risen from 31 to 33 cwts., and the contemporary standard of acceleration of other cars had in the meantime improved. Fortunately, it was found possible to increase the engine displacement by 16% while the total chassis weight was no more than 2% greater than that of the first car. This was a piece of good fortune which cannot occur again. Though the performance was restored by thismove, it has not been appreciated generally how greatly the handling of the car has deteriorated with the steady increase in weight. We say that compared with Bentley 1, which we | ||