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 of the Continental Test B5 prototype chassis after extended mileage.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 97\5\ scan0112 | |
| Date | 13th March 1939 | |
| H006 To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Copy to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} CONTINENTAL TEST B5. We recently took the opportunity accompanied by Sr, of driving B5 1000 miles in two days. The car has now run over 40,000miles with the exception of the engine which has done about 23,000 miles. Its general condition is surprisingly good. The most noticable feature is that the body is entirely free from rattles. This must be largely attributable to soft suspension and stiff frame and indicates that the light bodies being made should be satisfactory. The suspension does not seem to have depreciated appreciably, it is still quiet. The car remains comfortable and the steering satisfactory. The modification recently made to the latter has eliminated road shocks. The engine with 7/1 C/R does not detonate appreciably on No1 fuels and maintains its tune. Apart from the Wraith, which of course did not run so far, we have never previously had such a promising prototype experimental chassis. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||