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 comparing the acceleration of American cars with a special 8-litre Bentley.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 174\2\ img313 | |
| Date | 18th January 1939 guessed | |
| I have gone from Cadillacs to Buicks this year, as the Buick Century (model 61) is really America's fastest stock car, especially on acceleration. I must confess that the Bentley cannot accelerate with the Buick, so I guess I will have to get something that is really outstanding. I have read some very interesting articles concerning the Special 8-litre Bentley owned by Lycett. The acceleration of this car of 5 seconds from a standing start to 50 m.p.h. is really remarkable for such a big car. I am stripping a Buick chassis of body and all superfluous weight this winter, and just installing a very light body to see how near I can come to the figures for the 8-litre Bentley on acceleration. I think I may get back to England next summer, as Mr. Bedford has taken Cortachy Castle for the shooting season again. B will bring the Bentley along, as it has been a service depot since 1936 when it left England! I will probably bring a Buick along also. | ||