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).
Newspaper clipping detailing a Continental Bentley Saloon's speed trial triumph at Montlhéry.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\3\ scan0240 | |
| Date | 15th February 1939 | |
| CAR TRIUMPH CONTINENTAL BENTLEY SALOON EXCEEDS 110 M.P.H. Sweeping round Montlhéry, the famous French speedway, at an average speed of 107.42 m.p.h. yesterday, the new Continental Bentley saloon car scored a fresh triumph for Rolls-Royce-controlled Bentley Motors (1931), Ltd. For one lap the sleek, streamlined saloon sped round the track at more than 110 m.p.h., according to official timing by the Automobile Club Française. Yesterday's success followed a remarkable feat achieved by the standard 4 1/4 litre engine earlier this month. Improvised only by a slightly raised compression ratio, the car covered the 180 miles from Metz to Paris in three hours—an average of 60 m.p.h.—and during the run reached a top speed of 115 m.p.h. One 38-miles stretch was covered at an average speed of 76 m.p.h. On the new autobahnen in Germany even higher speeds were attained, a 25-mile stretch being completed at 100 m.p.h. At one stage on this run German spectators were astonished to see the car travelling at more than 120 m.p.h. Low petrol consumption was a striking feature of the trials. When averaging 80 miles per hour the new car did 21 miles to the gallon, and at 60 m.p.h. the consumption rose to 26 miles to the gallon. The petrol was of the ordinary pump type, and was purchased at pumps en route. The car carried four persons and luggage. | ||