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).
Page from 'The Autocar' magazine featuring reader correspondence on Bentley engines, road safety, and other motoring topics.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\5\ scan0021 | |
| Date | 1st November 1940 | |
| November 1st, 1940. The Autocar 457 Correspondence As far as the other clearances are concerned, the correct one can be found by noting that camshafts marked "BM2391" require the small setting, and camshafts marked "BM6800" require the larger. Standard ignition advance was 45 deg. before T.D.C. fully advanced on both magnetos. One or two other facts which may be of interest to Bentley owners are: 1924 engines are numbered 368 and 376 up; 1925 engines 747-749 up, and 1926 numbers are 1,200 up. Front brakes were added as standard about September, 1923. 1927 really saw the end of the 3-litre, but a few cars were made later which could really be called 1928 cars. As for tuning, the compression can be raised by machining up to 5 mm. from the base of the block, making the ratio 6.5-1; but one or two structural alterations may have to be carried out before this can be done. Of course, special H.C. pistons can be used. The makers' b.h.p. figure is 80; this can be raised to 88 by careful tuning; and, as the engine is almost at its peak of performance in standard form, an increase of 8 b.h.p. is a real achievement. As for Mr. Thwaites' comments upon 30-98 Vauxhalls, I quite agree with him. After all, with the light chassis and high top gear, 30-98s had a wonderful performance. I have at home in London a 4.5-litre Bentley in the process of being rebuilt, work having been curtailed by the war; I hope to proceed with the work after the clouds have passed. If any readers know of the whereabouts of a reliable second-hand 4.5 blower assembly I should be very obliged to them for the information. I should also be only too pleased to help any enthusiast with any problems he may have concerning the maintenance and overhaul of 3- and 4.5-litre Bentleys, as I have quite a stock of "useful information" on those cars. Lastly, Mr. Thwaites' final Bentley, he states, had a compression ratio of 5.8 to 1. Actually that was the designed ratio, but owing to a mistake in the drawing the figure was actually 5.6 to 1. Thanks a lot for the article on the 8-litre Bentley. It's grand to read of such cars. C. V. {VIENNA} ALEXANDER. Cardiff Confirmation of a Certain Car Being a Red Label Model [49836.]—Your correspondent, Mr. C. W. G. {Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} Roberts [49752] states that the 3-litre Bentley, Registration AX 5727, which he acquired from a "Junk yard" had no badge on it. If this gentleman will apply to the proprietors of the so-called "Junk yard" they will be happy to supply him with this particular car's own badge. Incidentally, he can rest assured that the Bentley is a genuine Red Label. We have often wondered if he found the body as suitable for him as he thought it would be. GEO. HARRISON, Harrison and Chadwick. Gorton, Manchester. CAPE WRATH Further Confirmation of the Possibility of Taking a Car, in Spite of Difficulties [49837.]—I was interested in Mr. Linfield's remark in your issue of October 11th that he hopes to take a car to Cape Wrath. It is now two years since I was there, and at that time it was not possible, for there was no means of getting the car across the Kyle of Durness, and I don't suppose that there has been any change since then. The ferry boat is but large enough for cycles, or at most a motor cycle. Once across, the road to the cape is quite practicable for cars, although, of course, rough and hilly. The hotel on the shores of the Kyle keep a car on the further bank, and arrangements can be made with them to be taken to the cape. From the existence of this car, and of the lorry kept at Cape Wrath lighthouse, it is, of course, apparent that cars can be got across the Kyle, but special arrangements would have to be made for a boat, etc., which would rather put the undertaking outside practical politics. There was an article in The Autocar many years ago describing the experiences of two enthusiasts who took an Austin Seven on this trip. The contributor of it wrote several other articles of the same character. His particular Austin was one of the earliest sports "7s," with pointed tail and flared wings. Can we have some more articles on racing during the 1920-1930 era? MICHAEL H. {Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} SCOTT. Linlithgow. [An article, probably the one to which our correspondent refers, appeared in The Autocar of May 25th, 1928, written by Mr. Rosslyn Colam, describing a run on an Austin Seven during which the cape itself was actually attained. The car was ferried across the Kyle of Durness on a rowing boat. Our contributor suggested that this was the first time a car had been actually out to the cape. Racing articles of the nature mentioned will be published whenever possible.—ED {J. L. Edwards} ]. STARTING YOUNG American System That Might Well Be Adopted [49838.]—Your issue of October 11th contains information of unusual interest to all motorists. I would suggest that the details given by Mr. Webb Waldron in an article entitled "The Three R's and Driving" (page 361), showing what has been done in the U.S.A. in the interests of motorists and public safety, be brought to the notice of the appropriate authorities in our country. If some similar scheme of school driving courses were adopted here I think that the total of road accidents would be greatly reduced, especially if occasional brief instruction in road safety were given in all junior schools. N 996. St. {Capt. P. R. Strong} Annes-on-Sea. THE WHITE LINE Neglect Increases Road Dangers [49839.]—The Ministry of Transport has urged upon local authorities the importance of renewing the white line on classified roads and of extending it to routes other than those classified. Many urban authorities are doing this, but in rural districts much-used unclassified roads have not been so treated, and from many of them the white line has practically disappeared. It should not be forgotten that under the bombing conditions which prevail, rural roads can often be used safely, and that this fact gives our road transport system a flexibility which can go far to nullify the best efforts of the enemy to dislocate communications. Neglect to provide these roads with clearly marked white lines not only increases road dangers but seriously impedes transport of vital importance to the war effort. We urge that in the interests of national defence, as much as in the interests of safety, authorities controlling rural roads should recognise that they have a great responsibility in this matter of white line provision. A. {Mr Adams} DEAKIN, Acting General Secretary, Transport and General Workers' Union. BOOKS for MOTORISTS Issued in conjunction with "THE AUTOCAR" Net Price. By Post. The Autocar Guide for the "L" Driver ... 1/- ... 1/2 Look After Your Car... ... 2/6 ... 2/9 The Motor Vehicle ... ... 10/6 ... 11/1 Know Your Car ... ... 1/6 ... 1/8 The Autocar Handbook ... ... 2/6 ... 2/11 Motor Driving Made Easy ... ... 2/6 ... 2/10 More Sketches by Casque ... ... 2/- ... 2/3 Automobile Electrical Equipment ... 10/6 ... 11/1 The Modern Diesel ... ... 3/6 ... 3/11 The Autocar Register ... ... 3/- ... 3/5 By P. M. {Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Heldt, U.S.A. : High Speed Combustion Engines ... 42/- ... 42/7 Motor Vehicles and Tractors ... ... 42/- ... 42/7 Fuels and Carburettors... ... 18/- ... 18/7 High Speed Diesel Engines ... 27/- ... 27/7 Full particulars of any of the above books will be sent on application. Obtainable from Leading Booksellers and Railway Bookstalls or direct (remittance with order) from ILIFFE & SONS LTD., Dorset House, Stamford Street, London, S.E.1. A27 | ||