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).
Visit with Mr. Michelin discussing Bentley and Hispano-Suiza car performance and potential improvements.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27a\1\ Scan118 | |
| Date | 8th June 1934 guessed | |
| -2- His 12 cyl. Hispano has a very fine engine (205-HP) - remarkable acceleration - cannot beat the Bentley's time from Paris to Clermont-Ferrand. (In fact Mr. Michelin is under the impression that he could better his time on the Bentley ) Very bad springing on the Hispano. Impossible to handle it on undulated cambered roads at more than 120 kms. The maximum speed at which it can be driven on good French roads is 145 kms per hour, and the maximum speed attained on the Italian autostrade is 162 kms. All these figures are stop-watch figures. Mr. Michelin declared without any hesitation that he prefers the Bentley to his Hispano. His only complaint with regard to the Bentley is insufficient ventilation to the front seats. Finally Mr. Michelin would be very pleased indeed to meet you and "Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}". I feel certain that a visit to his place at Clermont-Ferrand would be of great interest to you. His Michelines (Autorails) are now very fine vehicles. He has several in construction, fitted with two 12 cyl. Hispano engines with which they expect to attain a speed of 170 kms an hour with 56 passengers on board. Hancock & Cº should now and again go to Clermont-Ferrand to take their cars up to the Puy-de-Dôme. This is a terrific test and by letting us know previously Mr. Michelin would get the road test opened up for them, free of cost. One is able to keep the accelerator pedal hard down in second from beginning to end of the 4 kms 300 m which has a continual grade of 12%. Needless to say lots of cars never get to the top and they nearly all vaporize upon arrival. I personally would be very interested to get your point of view on the wandering effect that I have only noticed on B-15-AE on undulated cambered roads. After careful reflection, I came to the conclusion that never before have I really driven Bentleys at speeds over this type of roads. I am inclined to believe that there is a room for improvement here. Sales last month were somewhat remarkable and I have every reason to think that they will also be this month. The Bentley as we all predicted is the right car for this country and it is now going. This is rather long but I feel that there are points of interest which I should let you know of. "SH" | ||