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 from Raymond Mays providing feedback on an experimental car he test-drove, detailing suspension and handling characteristics.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 90\5\ scan0006 | |
| Date | 24th September 1940 | |
| COPY Eastgate House, Bourne, Lincs. 24th September 1940. W.Cowen, Esq., Bentley Motors (1931) Ltd., 16, Conduit Street, W.1. Dear Mr.Cowen, Very many thanks indeed for so kindly loaning me your experimental car during last week end. I must say it gave me very great pleasure to drive such a beautiful motorcar, and I am only looking forward to the days when you can again produce the best sports car in the world. I tried this car over roads which are familiar to me and I am fully satisfied that the steering, suspension, and road holding are a great advance on anything I have ever driven previously. I have only one small criticism to make; and that is the rear of the car is apt to give a slight "kick" when opening out early on a fast corner where the surface is bumpy, and this same trait also applies when cornering at very high speed on a corner which also has a bumpy surface. I fully realise the great difficulties in the suspension problems on a high speed car, and it would be a great shame to spoil in any way the "soft ride" which the Bentley gives. I should like to add that the point which I have mentioned certainly does not apply unless the car is driven extremely hard. Again with many thanks for allowing me to have this car and I hope that it did not inconvenience you in any way my keeping the car until yesterday. Yours sincerely, (Sd) Raymond Mays. | ||