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).
Starting difficulties with 4 1/4-Litre Bentleys and the advisability of using thinner oil for customers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 151\3\ scan0353 | |
| Date | 8th January 1938 | |
| K {Mr Kilner} /W. Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. By. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. Mx. {John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} c. GWH. {George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} 1290? Pk/8.1.38. STARTING 4 1/4-LITRE BENTLEYS. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 1/R.5.1.38. GWH {George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} has replied to your memo in detail. I certainly would not have said that the 4 1/4-litre Bentley has a bad reputation for starting in the London area. We get very few complaints of difficult starting, and I do not think the situation is such that it is necessary to circulate customers concerning the advisability of using a thinner oil to facilitate starting; though if we get specific cases where the use of a car entails a lot of starting with consequent running down of the battery, we could advise the owner that the thinner oil would be more suitable in his case. Pk. | ||