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).
Motoring letter detailing the performance and features of a new 'Continental' Bentley model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\3\ scan0206 | |
| Date | 11th February 1939 guessed | |
| 3. MOTORING LETTER. The reason for this amazingly low petrol consumption is partly, of course, due to the carburettors but more particularly to the clever streamlining of the car, which has been developed by means of models and with the cooperation of Rolls-Royce aircraft experts. The streamlining is also, of course, partly responsible for the amazing speed. Even the door handles disappear into the door. Stability And Comfort Then, after speed and low petrol consumption the car has stability. There was no swaying or jerking, no roughness and hardly any sound, apart from the whistling of the air as the car shot through space at 120 m.p.h. During a good part of the journey the roads were covered with snow and ice, yet the car, admittedly beautifully handled, glided along at more than 80 m.p.h. as if the surface had been dry. At low speeds in towns and in traffic there was the same smoothness. Luxurious Interior Finally, as regards comfort, the car carried four persons and luggage, and all of them were as comfortable as they could be, if one excepts rather little head room in the back owing to the streamlining. This, however, says Rolls-Royce, can and will be remedied in any future models without detracting in any way from the effect of the special streamlining of the car. There was a wireless to be listened to, the dash board was full of the most pleasing gadgets, there were ash-trays and, indeed, all the amenities of a luxury car. This car, which has not yet been named, might aptly be described as the "Continental" Bentley, in view of the fact that its chief purpose is high speed touring on the Continent at a low cost and with every comfort. The very idea came from the German autobahnen and Italian autostrada. It was decided that certainly no British car, and few, if any, Continental cars had been specially built to take the fullest possible advantage of these new roads, and that it was time someone did. That a British firm was the first to think of it will give all British motorists every satisfaction. There is little doubt that there will be a big demand for this car on the Continent. Bentleys are already very popular in France and this model is likely to be eagerly bought by foreigners, perhaps even more than Britons, although even Britons, who are becoming more and more "spend your holidays abroad-minded", will welcome such a lovely fast car which will enable them to get further each day, at less cost, and with equal comfort. Such a car would, at present, be somewhat wasted on the narrow British roads with their many restricted areas and clogged, slow moving traffic, but it will give those, and there are a number of them, who have for some time past now been clamouring for big trunk roads through England and Scotland, the opportunity to say "we now have the cars, build us the roads!" | ||