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).
Expressing doubts about fitting Rudge-Whitworth wheels to the 3.5 litre Bentley and recommending Dunlop wheels instead.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 88\5\ scan0006 | |
| Date | 7th June 1933 | |
| Y 256 To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}21/KT.7.6.33. ROAD WHEELS FOR THE BENTLEY. We have grave doubts about the policy of fitting Rudge-Whitworth wheels to the 3½ litre Bentley. The first set of wheels supplied failed on the 10,000 miles test completely. When the failure was pointed out to Rudge-Whitworths they admitted that they had supplied us with wheels which were not as good as they should have been. We have had considerable dealings with the Rudge-Whitworth people on the question of wheels, and we are not impressed by their methods, and doubt very much even if we complete a satisfactory test, that they would maintain a quality. W.O.Bentley stated that they were always in trouble with R.W. wheels, chiefly owing to poor manufacture. The other point which we cannot disregard is that this company is in the hands of the receiver. Again the price they are charging for the wheels may be too low for them to make a reasonable profit. Taking everything into consideration we recommend that we stick to the Dunlop wheels for the first 200 3½ litre Bentley cars. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||