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).
The performance and issues experienced with a Bensport car driven by W. O. Bentley.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\1\ scan0038 | |
| Date | 28th February 1933 | |
| X4553w Hotel de France Chateauroux Indre To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} From GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} 28.2.33 B E N S P O R T The Bensport arrived back here at noon to-day. F.{Mr Friese} Dodd reports that W. O.{Mr Oldham} Bentley was very pleased with the car. The troubles experienced during the mileage were: The rod from servo to front brakes is too low and was bent several times. Missfiring occured at high speed through the centre electrode becoming burnt. Lodge X318 of one plug. Water was lost from radiator during each day's run down to top of tubes. Oil consumption 600 m.p.g. Max. Oil Temp. 91° C Highest speed reached 96 MPH Car taken on Monthléry track. Conditions very poor, pouring with rain, lap speed 89 MPH, slip of rear wheels would account for the loss of 2 MPH according to W. O.{Mr Oldham} Bentley. The average petrol consumption for the W.O.B. trip was 14.64 MPG Bentley complained of shape and lowness of rear wings. He complains that the wings overhang the wheels too much and he does not like the shape ( not streamlined sufficient) Wings catch curb when parking the car, being too low for the height of the curb ( continental conditions) being such that in towns the gutter is used for drainage purposes and crown of road is higher Running boards should be dispensed with. Axle is noisy. Front brakes inclined to squeak, first application in morning brakes jagger. Clutch has given no trouble. Steering too much castor action. Too much oil is being lost from crankcase breather Carburettor silencers were taken off, because of suction of oil into carburettor. These have been lost together with inspection board in rear luggage compartment. Electrical Horns deteriorated through not being water tight. Starting up from cold (car left out all night) Air temperature zero. The starter motor slipped on first application, second application turned the engine and engine fired after approx. three complete turns The impression is that there is not sufficient power in the starter motor and if engine did not fire straight away the battery would quickly give out. Apparantly a slight increase in the gear ratio would give the starter motor a better chance of turning the engine over with less drain on the battery. GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} J.H.Hancock | ||