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).
Road test report on the Bentley III expressing disappointment with its engine performance, gearbox noise, and suspension.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 97\1\ scan0226 | |
| Date | 10th October 1938 | |
| SECRET. Hoo also Hoob. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} C. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} C. " Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} C. " BX. C. " E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} C. " Bly.{B. W. Bleaney - Bentley Sales} re- Bentley III. Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}1/KW10.10.38. Accompanied by Bly{B. W. Bleaney - Bentley Sales} I went nearly 100 miles in this car on Friday and took it over with a great deal of pleasurable anticipation, but I am afraid that as the result of the trial my impression was one of keen disappointment. Dealing with the performance, I venture to suggest that the engine is not giving off its proper horse-power. If it is, then the performance is not one which we could "put over" to the Public. I found it was quite a difficulty to get the engine up to its 4500 revs on second gear and impossible even on third. The best speed on third gear with wind and gradient in favour of the car was 83 on the speedometer, which allowing for error is about 80. The car is geared to do 91 on that gear. On the overdrive under the most favourable circumstances the speedometer just struggled up to 90, which I suggest is about 86 true. With this poor performance there appeared to be a good deal of roughness in the engine and gearbox, and noise generally which was not up to our present standard. As regards stability, I am afraid the weather was so bad, ile. pouring rain and wet roads, that I was unable to form any opinion on this. When the rain ceased I endeavoured to do some cornering quickly but the car showed a strong tendency to skid, so I abandoned any such tests. As regards the suspension I felt that any improvement here was largely imagination due to the knowledge that the car was fitted with independent front wheel suspension. Actually I thought the difference was almost unnoticeable, so far as the ride is concerned at slow speeds, between it and our present form of suspension. There probably is a difference but it is so slight as to be not in itself the full answer to the benefits that should be derived from such a system of springing. I also thought that the difference between the ride when the shock absorbers were on 'soft' or 'hard' was so slight that it made me feel the system was not working properly. Also, I found no necessity (cont) | ||