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).
Controversy around a Bentley's stopping distance and the implications of altering the front braking.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 85\1\ scan0345 | |
| Date | 19th July 1937 | |
| S/W. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 1204 Bentley Stopping Distance. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/R9.7.37 Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}15/KW19.7.37. There has of course been a good deal of controversy on this question since the "Motor" published the stopping distance of 40' from 30 m.p.h. It surprises us you should say that the stopping distance of the Bentley is, and has always been, 38-40' from 30 m.p.h. We know that cars have varied in this respect but our present Coupe Trials Car stops, I am told, in lesss than 38' from 30 m.p.h. This car is not yet fitted with the 35° cams, but after you had fitted these cams to the car that Mr.Platt tried I tried it for comparison with the other Saloon, and found it definitely better. The point is, is it correct for us to say to customers who criticise the stopping distance that whilst we could improve this by increasing the front braking we are not altogether sure that it is desirable for the average owner? I suppose the danger of increasing the front braking is the possibility of locking a front wheel and the car thus becoming out of control. We think we ought to have a very clear statement on this important subject to make to customers who raise the point. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} Hule | ||