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).
The testing of production Bentley cars, noting issues with front wing flapping and bonnet movement.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\6\ 06-page125 | |
| Date | 5th February 1934 | |
| X4553 WOF. c. BY HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} JES EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}3/AGH.5.2.34 re BENTLEY CARS --------------- Having tested with JLG a few of the production cars now complete with bodies I find them generally quite good and compare quite favourably with the first 15 cars. The following, however, are a few points for noting :- (1) Front wing and head lamp 'flapping'. I did not consider this so bad or any worse than that experienced when we made the same change on P.II; also, according to my recollection, similar to that on the Experimental car tested and passed by all concerned. We did not effect any noticeable improvement by increased loading of the T.R.dampers, but certainly effected the engine vibrations. Until some definite advantage is proved out I suggest we leave this adjustment of the T.R.damper as per present standard. In making comparative tests on B-15-AE (fixed radiators) one could appreciate the difference. Personally I preferred B-15-AE. Already a customer has complained about it (Mr.Summers). (2) Bonnet movement where it rests on the radiator is also noticeable. This is affected by bonnet fitting. The bonnet must bed and rest on the dashboard and radiator beading even when the radiator is pushed sideways. The scuttle with felt must not take the load off the bonnet from the dashboard. Apart from affecting the bonnet movement the dashboard-scuttle isolation scheme is also defeated (vibration and booms aggravated). | ||