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).
Performance review of a 100 M.P.H. streamlined Bentley car after road and track testing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 155\1\ scan0124 | |
| Date | 6th November 1933 | |
| To Sec. from Mr/Ms. C.C. C. Nor. T.C. Dv. E.S. RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} E.V. HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 2768. EB/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}14/RT.6.11.33. 100 M.P.H. STREAMLINED BENTLEY CAR. We took this car to Brooklands Track on Saturday. On the way down on a favourable stretch of the Worcester road a true 104 M.P.H. was obtained on a downward slope with a slightly following wind. On the track the car lapped at 95 M.P.H., and covered the half mile at 100 M.P.H. conditions were favourable, but there was only a slight following wind for the half mile. On the ordinary fast main road such as the Hendon-Dunstable, the behaviour of the car was remarkably good. The reduction of windage has increased the cruising speed of the car by about 8 M.P.H., and above 70 M.P.H. the reduction in tractive resistance is sufficient to off-set the reduction in acceleration which one would expect with the 10% higher axle ratio. The cycle type wings do not affect the steering adversely, nor do they allow any mud to be thrown on to the windscreen, the dash panel and rear wings, however, do collect mud, and some investigation work is required to overcome this. In spite of the low height of the car visibility is good. Judged as a sporting proposition, and from the driving seat, this is the nicest car we have ever handled. We propose to analyse the results obtained to see how much of the high speed performance we can retain whilst improving the body accommodation. HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/RM.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||