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).
Notes on the performance and design of the Blue Streamlined Bentley car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 90\1\ Scan125 | |
| Date | 12th March 1935 | |
| R.M xrb3 [Handwritten in left margin, vertically]: Lyman. How are we progressing with these? RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} NOTES RE BLUE STREAMLINED BENTLEY CAR ----------- The acceleration of this car, especially in third, is magnificent; but the car is unstable at speed - probably due to the streamlined rear portion and does not compare as far as stability is concerned with other Bentleys with standard bodies. The Ride Control seems to have little effect on the springing. The Bosch double-filament lamps are distinctly good, and I prefer same to our standard dipping lamps; but the foot switch controlling such lamps is too far to the near side to be readily accessible to one's foot. The Foot Brakes squawk when cold, but improve after use - the near side front being the chief offender. As brakes they are excellent, and are all one could wish. The wind gets under the body at times and causes a certain amount of banging. The engine gears are very noisy. The body itself is too low, and distinctly dangerous for rear passengers, especially over a humpbacked road. The accelerator pedal is too close to the foot brake, and the hand brake lever most inaccessible - due of course to the restricted body space. As a Sporting Car it is excellent, and a real joy to handle; but the tendency to wander at high speed detracts considerably from its performance. [Handwritten, bottom left]: Noted [Signature]: Geo Lyman | ||