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).
Test drive report on a 4¼ Litre Bentley B-23-AE, focusing on gear ratios, hill climbing, and re-starting performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 90\1\ Scan176 | |
| Date | 19th March 1936 | |
| x763 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} E/HDY.{William Hardy}1/HP.19.3.36. 4¼ Litre Bentley B-23-AE, I was very much impressed by this car which I had during the last week-end. With regard to various features, the following remarks may be of interest:- 2nd Speed Ratio. Although by calculation this is a useful gear up to 52 m.p.h. in practice the inevitable increase of noise at high r.p.m. (which is out of proportion to the speed when on this gear above 40 m.p.h) discourages one from exceeding 40 m.p.h. For those who care to go to the trouble of changing into 2nd frequently, it appears to me that a higher ratio would be an improvement. Third is now .8 of top and 2nd .56 = .7 of 3rd. If 2nd were made .8 of 3rd it would become .64. 1st could be raised from .36 to .42 without theoretical loss of value for starting or climbing on account of increased engine size. This higher 2nd would raise the comfortable speed from say 40 to 46. Starting on this higher 2nd should be no more difficult than with the present ratio on the 3¼ litre car.* However, even if it were more difficult it might be preferred to have the high 2nd and start on 1st. * EXCEPT AS MODIFIED BY REMARK ON NEXT PAGE. Top Gear. The car climbed Duncton Hill (between Petworth and Chichester) on top gear without gain or less of speed when at 30 m.p.h. The gradient is said to be 1 in 8. The car weight with passengers was 38 cwts. Re Starting. The car would not re-start in 3rd on 1 in 8, although capable of climbing 1 in 6.3 on this gear. A re-start in 2nd was made comfortably but on a hill near Singleton of approximately 1 in 6 a re-start could not be made in 2nd although this gear should be good for 1 in 4.4. | ||