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).
Performance tests of a Bentley for Mr. Marcel Michelin, comparing it to other cars and detailing feedback towards a potential sale.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27a\1\ Scan116 | |
| Date | 6th June 1934 guessed | |
| -3- Mr. Marcel Michelin Michelin considers reasonable, were as follows - Bentley 38 secondes 3/5 as compared with the 8 Ford 40 secondes, the Air-flow Chrysler 40 s. Vivasport Renault 42 secondes. This performance having ended we went to their special test hill which has a grade of 5% and a standing start test up the hill over one kms was made. Bentley, 40 secondes as compared with the 8 Ford 45 s with the Air-flow Chrysler 44 sec, Vivasport 45 sec. Other tests were carried out but this is only of interest to Mr. Michelin. Mr Michelin to use his own words, was under the impression that he had actually one of the finest cars that could be bought in his 12 cyl. Hispano, but since handling the Bentley, and putting it through its tests, he is of the opinion that the Bentley is the better car, for all round purposes. He therefore intends to make arrangements to turn his 12 cyl. over to his experimental tyre section and purchasing a Bentley. From his enthusiasm I am convinced that in the very near future it will bring us his order in the same manner as it will bring Mr. Jacques Hauvette's. As the hour was late and Mr. Michelin wanted his chief engineer to try the car, he sent a car back on the road to Paris 100 kms so that this gentleman could try the Bentley and not retard my departure. This gentleman, Mr. Macardi, was very enthusiastic. His only criticism is that the car has an inclination to wander slightly at 90 miles an hour on undulated roads. This of course is more or less to be expected and he admitted quite frankly that on these particulars roads it was not possible to drive the 12 cyl. Hispano at more than 120 kms an hour, which is 30 kms below the speed obtained with the Bentley. I feel convinced that our efforts in this district will bear fruit and should we be successful, as I hope, in selling a Bentley to Mr. Michelin himself, it will be a great step forward with the Bentley over here. (Sr) TRIAL RUNS B-15-AE Mr. Marcel Michelin , Messrs. Jacques and Jules Hauvette, Messrs. Puisieux & Mondaye, & Mr. Macardi. "Sr" | ||