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 to Bentley Motors giving feedback on the springing, steering, and braking of car model B 58 - GA.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 89\1\ scan0197 | |
| Date | 29th July 1936 | |
| RFS. P. 29th July, 1936. Messrs. Bentley Motors (1931) Ltd., LONDON. Dear Sirs, B 58 - GA. I thank you for your letter of the 28th instant, concerning the springing of the above car. I quite agree with your statement that the springing cannot be considered by itself, and must be taken in conjunction with the steering, braking and road holding. Taking them item by item: (1) Springing, so far as the comfort of those riding in the car is concerned, is poor and definitely inferior I should say with-out hesitation to every American car, and a great many British. (2) The steering is quite good, but there are too many road shocks on it for real comfort. (3) So far as the springing affects the braking, in my opinion it is poor, and the effect when applying the brakes hard on a rough road is most unpleasant. (4) The general controllability and road holding, I would say is average. I cannot subscribe to the view that it would be dangerous to depart from your present lay-out, as I understand the recent success of the Mercedes in road racing is largely due to the road holding capabilities, which in turn, I understand, is due to independent wheel suspension. The fact that you are fitting the Phantom.3 with independent wheel suspension, I should have thought, is sufficient evidence that it is satisfactory for a fast car. I know that the success of your Company is largely due to the fact that you are always behind the times, and are very conservativ | ||