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).
Prioritizing the development of a rationalised gearbox for an 8-cylinder Bentley to compete with Lagonda.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 133\4\ scan0083 | |
| Date | 5th August 1939 | |
| 11025 By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. By/NS.{Norman Scott} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}15/R.5.8.39. PRIORITY OF WORK. We consider that the most important job at the moment is the rationalised gearbox strengthened to cope with the 8-cylinder engine. The 8-cylinder engine has now done 12,000 miles in France without giving trouble, and we want this box to enable us to offer an 8-cylinder Bentley in the Spring if it is necessary to have this car to overwhelm Lagonda competition. Incidentally, we believe that we shall have to announce some of the models in the Spring beside the Ripple, otherwise there will be such a flood at the Motor Show that each model will lose its identity. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||