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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).
Performance report on the 6-B-IV Bentley during a 3,284-mile trip in France.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 83\1\  scan0148
Date  15th August 1936
  
To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and Han. from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer}

c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}

E.3/HP.15.8.36.

6-B-IV in France.

During the three weeks I had 6-B-IV on the Continent the distance covered was 3284 miles, and the average consumption over this distance works out at 17.7 miles per gallon petrol, 2130 miles per gallon oil. These figures I consider very good indeed, having regard to the varying nature of the work the car had to do.

This is the first occasion on which I have used a Bentley abroad, and it certainly seems to be a car par excellence for Continental work, mainly on account of its low centre of gravity and general stability. Although generally in the open country corners are now well banked there are many cases of corners where turns with an extreme negative camber are encountered, sometimes unexpectedly, and it is under these circumstances where a low centre of gravity scores. This is again felt when travelling on some of the very highly crowned roads where once forced over to the edge the car tips considerably.

A large number of the new type Buicks were met during the trip, and these were the chief offenders in wanting more than their share of the road when meeting other cars. This is very likely due to the drivers visibility being poor, which we know to be the case.

After running the Bentley car this year and the 20/25 last year I should say that lateral stability obtained in some way or other is a more important requirement on the Continent than in England.

The next feature of the car that showed up to advantage was the acceleration, which even on Continental roads is of more importance than absolute maximum speed, but all the advantage is lost unless the correct fuel is used.

Detonation is very pronounced indeed on second quality Continental fuels, and completely spoils the
  
  


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