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).
Feedback from a 100-mile test run of a Bentley, focusing on performance issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\4\ 04-page313 | |
| Date | 11th June 1933 | |
| COPY. URGENT. Dear C., Many thanks for your memo. I managed as you know to get the Dr's permission to go out on the Bentley but only on condition that Prof.Dodds came with me. We set out about 11 for a short run (preliminary) and have now done about 100 miles on it. The following points quickly arose on outward journey - (1). Not a bit like No.1 Car in several important respects, max, speed only about 80 into wind, we did 90 easily on No.1. (2). Far too soft and RR like, I agree with PN{Mr Northey}'s report in this respect. (3). Steering definitely wandered over 65-70 m.p.h. No.1 Car we tried was VERY good in this respect and if it had been like this car we should not have passed it. Performance, [scratched out] acceleration, road holding are excellent. On looking under bonnet I found they had fitted large air silencer; I have as said on several occasions that car must not be quieter than No.1 so decided to remove silencer and try car without it. At once the car was more like No.1 and with that definite harshness of a sports car which is essential (even if only to keep us different from RR). General performance was definitely better, not sure about max. speed although got 90 easily but thought this might be due to direction of wind so turned round and tried in opp.direction and got max. of 89. This of course may be luck but can be proved by actual tests, which you will doubtless see made. Since steering excellent up to 65-70 suggest shock absorbers (front) are too slack - will you please investigate these points, i.e. Front absorbers, (or why not Tele control on front until we are ready with our own adjustable) may not have been stiff enough. It is quite clear that we could not sell car in condition in which it was brought to me. The car Must have a sports harshness and I think without the air silencer it has enough but would prefer a bit more rather than less. You will remember when I had this unit in an RR last | ||