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).
Response to Mr. Kleinwort's criticisms of the Bentley, covering the gearbox, carburation, and engine noise.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 88\1\ scan0004 | |
| Date | 12th October 1933 | |
| To C. From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} 87967- Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}3/MJ.12.10.33. With reference to C1/U7.10.33. We are interested in Mr. Kleinwort's criticism of the Bentley. We have anticipated his complaints. As regards his request for a synchro-mesh second speed, we have a gearbox designed with this feature and expect to have it completed in six or eight weeks. If it is successful this will become the ultimate gearbox for all our models. As regards the carburation at low speeds. We realise this is a criticism which can be levelled against the Standard S.U. Carburetter. We have modified a carburetter and have improved it considerably in this respect. If we go ahead with the improved carburetter for the 25 HP, we are expecting that we may eventually adopt the same one for the Bentley. At the same time we do not think anyone but an R.R. owner would criticise the very low speed engine running. As regards the criticism that the engine is not as quiet when working hard as on the Essex Terraplane, we have to agree with that. The Essex is astonishingly quiet and smooth - that is why we recommended we should purchase one. I am afraid we do not share Mr. Kleinwort's optimism in making it equally inaudible to the Essex until we are able to introduce a radical alteration in design. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||