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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).
Private letter discussing customer feedback and criticisms of the 4¼-litre Bentley.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 82\4\  scan0298
Date  12th May 1936
  
Private.

12th May, 1936.

Dear Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer},

Concerning re-actions of customers to the 4¼-litre Bentley, I am glad to say that everyone seems delighted with the general performance. The acceleration and quietness of engine seem to particularly quench their thirst.

However, with everything good there are criticisms, and I should say that the chief of these, now that the 4¼-litre is out, are:-

1. Effectiveness of the brakes.
2. Lack of body accommodation.

I believe you are giving your mind to both these matters.

We have had several people mention that they do not think the brakes are as effective as they should be on a car with this performance, especially one so silent and therefore deceptive with its speed.

Incidentally, I would mention on the Autocar test last Monday, we succeeded in reducing the braking figures at 30 m.p.h. from 36 ft to 30 ft, this is 100%.

There is a general point concerning Bentleys that rather distresses me, namely the oil consumption. We have had a number of customers mention the bad oil consumption, and they even think that 800 m.p.g. now published as oil consumption is a little on the low side. What do you think please?
[handwritten] in instruction book

Has not the time arrived when we can recommend the use of Lead or Benzole Mixture? Is there any disadvantage in using Discoll, as with this the performance seems to be an improvement on Ethyl. Your confidential reply to this at your leisure!!!

Please let me know if I can assist with the Wolesley, or other car at any time.

Yours,

B H Cleaver
  
  


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