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).
Intelligence report on the specifications and predicted reliability of Talbot Le Mans cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27a\1\ Scan397 | |
| Date | 2nd April 1936 | |
| X1245 To: "Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}". PARIS Sr21/Dn.2.4.36 Dear "Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}", Continuing my investigations, herewith inside information about the Talbots. This information was obtained in rather a special manner, and is therefore not for reproduction. First of all, Talbots are perturbed because they have to make 20 cars so as to be able to enter 2 at Le Mans being of a special model. This, they are doing, and the two cars they intend using, have already been tested at Montlhéry, but the engines are out, and back on the test bench. They are 4 Litre engines, maximum revs 4750, with a speed of 200 Kms per hour at these revs. The petrol tank contains 135 Litres, and they are reckoning on doing 24 laps, after which, according to their calculations, they would still have a reserve of 20 Litres. They are speaking of 185 to 190 kms per hour down the straight regularly. One of the mechanics in their Experimental Dept informed the person who obtained this information for me that confidentially in his opinion, if they drove these two cars anything near to capacity, they would only last six hours. My dope re Delahayes is not yet complete, but I will let you have this as soon as I am in a position to do so. [Handwritten text] Dear Plts my 4 1/4 is ! with leaves cut. 1/16ths with some car. it weighs 30-100lbs with 25 Pints essence. OK how standing. Road holding OK. Have washers full front 30lbs rear 27lbs. Have leaving off side steering very good. but OK! free. pre maxi. out pressures added now 30 to 32lbs OK! on all weather how low to Bend. Maxi. 25-16s! Sr. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Chaux. SZ. | ||