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).
Premature wear on Bentley brake linings and a potential change to Ferodo material.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 84\2\ scan0077 | |
| Date | 15th January 1934 | |
| S/W. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wer. c. " E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. " Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} [Handwritten]: GRAY [crossed out] x206 See me BENTLEY BRAKES. [Handwritten]: HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Referring to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}7/KW12.1.34. and to our conversation on the telephone to-day, we feel that an owner of a Bentley could not justifiably complain if his brakes require re-lining after 25,000, which is the figure you suggest represents in ordinary usage the wear and tear which in our 10,000 mile test runs takes place in 14,000 miles. We understand that you could not alter the brakes of the first 200 even if you wanted to, but that you could hold up the material, if necessary, for the second 200. We feel that it might be perhaps advisable for you to do that until you are able to make a decision as to which it is better to use, AMR or Ferodo. We are taking steps to warn all those who will get delivery of Bentleys with the present type of brake linings when driving with the brakes wet. Two other objections, of course to the AMR as on the present Bentleys are, brake squeaks and brake shudder, which we presume would not occur with Ferodo. We presume that if the brakes were lined with Ferodo the objections when wet would be no worse than those we experience on the 20/25 R-R.{Sir Henry Royce} We rather anticipate from all that has been said that you may probably wish to change to Ferodo for the second 200, and shall be glad to know what you finally decide. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} [Handwritten signature]: Rub | ||