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).
Meeting at Brooklands to test competitor cars including Talbot, Bugatti, and Alfa Romeo.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 155\1\ scan0071 | |
| Date | 5th April 1933 | |
| K788 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} ... from Bt.{Capt. J. S. Burt - Engineer} Bt{Capt. J. S. Burt - Engineer}4/AL.5.4.33. Dear Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}, I had an opportunity of speaking to my brother regarding the possibility of a meeting at Brooklands. He is going down to the Monte Carlo race, and will not be back until 27th inst. Any day after this would be agreeable to him. He has undertaken to produce:- 1. His 90 Open Talbot, about which I talked to you. 2. 95 Talbot with the Self Changing Gear, which approximates closely to the Talbot 95 Standard Production. 3. The Double Over-head Camshaft Super Charged Bugatti which, he tells me, is not fully tuned, but has already attained 124 m.p.h. on the track from a standing start in approximately ¾ mile. In addition to the above, he could, if you wish it, get the loan of a 2.3 litre Alfa Romeo. This particular car, has, at the moment, low compression pistons, and is in touring trim, its maximum speed being about 106 m.p.h. With the high compression pistons, apparently, it lapped Brooklands at 126. The drawback to the Alfa Romeo is:- 1. That I believe you have already tested this machine out. 2. That we could probably not get it without the presence of its owner, Mr. Lionel Martin, and possibly you might not want him to see the cars that you bring down. Bt.{Capt. J. S. Burt - Engineer} | ||