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).
Secret report on an 18,500-mile endurance test of a Bentley V, including running in France and subsequent engine analysis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 97\4\ scan0172 | |
| Date | 23th November 1938 | |
| SECRET. [Text crossed out: a.{Mr Adams} Mr. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}] [Text crossed out: b. Mr. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}] [Text crossed out: c. Mr. Nbo.] [Text crossed out: d.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} Mr. Bmr.] [Text crossed out: e.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}] [Text crossed out: f.{Mr Friese} Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer}] [Text crossed out: g.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} W/W O.B.R.] [Text crossed out: h.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Mr. H-S.] Ccs. from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/IMW.{Ivan M. Waller - Head of Chateauroux} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/IMW{Ivan M. Waller - Head of Chateauroux}3/R.23.11.38. TESTS IN FRANCE. B.B.V. - BENTLEY V.{VIENNA} Report on 18,500 miles' running including 13,322 miles' run from Chateauroux, 1754 miles of Continental running by Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}, and the remainder in England. Car released for test - 26.8.38. Left England 11.10.38. Returned to England 8.11.38. In shop for Strip Report 11.11.38. Specifications HPS{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr}/NRB/14, 18 & 19.10.38. (Points requiring modification, or special notice have been underlined.) Engine Unit B.V. No.5. This unit covered 17,980 miles. Unit No.4 was fitted temporarily for the first 516 miles of the car's life. No.5 unit was run on the test bed before being fitted to the car and completed 20 hours endurance running at 4,000 r.p.m. as follows:- 14 hours full throttle full load 4 " part " half " 2 " " quarter" The following parts were fitted new, after the above and prior to starting 15,000 miles' test :- 1. Main bearings. Vandervell strip. 2. Camwheel. Attwaters five grain material. 3. Pistons. Raised crown. The acceleration and maximum speed were the same as present standard production Bentley. This performance was obtained without exceeding 4,000 r.p.m. Beyond this speed there was a rapid fall in power and the engine became somewhat rough and noisy. | ||