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).
Discrepancy in the stated ground clearance of a six-cylinder Bentley car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 21\2\ Scan028 | |
| Date | 12th November 1926 | |
| X3805 S/W. To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} PN{Mr Northey}7/EH.12.11.26. Six-cylinder Bentley Car. Referring to your Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}2/LG23.7.26. in the first paragraph you refer to the ground clearance under the engine as being approximately 7". You will realise that from time to time information gathered from reports of competitive cars is used by Sales in connection with discussions which inevitably arise with enquirers who are trying to decide what car to buy, and it is of immense importance that any figures used in this way shall not only be used with the very greatest tact, but that the statements themselves shall be correct. Mr. Bentley has heard that a reference has been made to the clearance of his six-cylinder car being only 7", and he is very much upset at this, as he states that the clearance is not less than between 9¼" and 9¾" at the lowest point, and he feels that our statement is very damaging. Would you please let me know whether the car that you tested, i.e. Mr. Horniman's, was very carefully measured in this respect, or whether you think that the car in question was for some reason low on its springs, and therefore gave an indication of a lower clearance than the normal car would. PN.{Mr Northey}PN{Mr Northey} | ||