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).
Requirement for a lower Bentley axle ratio due to increased body weight and higher engine revs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 84\4\ scan0038 | |
| Date | 3rd October 1934 | |
| To By: x202 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}7/KW.3.10.34. Bentley Axle Ratio. Further to our conversation, the position is that the new Bentley bodies are 1 1/2 to 2 cwts. heavier than the original production. Our latest Bentley engine can run up to 5,000 revs. These two factors make it desirable that we should have a lower axle ratio to maintain reasonable performance with these large bodies. For this reason we shall be glad if you would look into the matter and see what could be produced. At the moment we favour a 7% reduction giving about 88 m.p.h. at 4,500 revs. This axle will also come in useful for Bentleys going to America and other places where we have to increase the ground clearance by fitting larger wheels. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||