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).
Fitment of Michelin wheels and tyres on various models, comparing their weight and effect on steering.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\1\ scan0224 | |
| Date | 30th March 1938 | |
| SrI/ET.30.3.38. - 3 - I should imagine that these wheels fitted to the B.III would have the most extraordinary effect and, when Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} comes to Paris, it will be interesting to fit them to the "Wraith" as this, I understand, is fitted with Bentley hubs. I should naturally appreciate your giving me a full report on your findings, so as to communicate it to Mr. Marcel Michelin who has been so efficient on his side, and I feel sure that if you feel as we do here about these tyres and say so, I shall be able to persuade him to push forward the correct type of tyres, by which I mean the one that will give proper clearance and, incidentally, a tyre which according to Mr. Aubeil, their Chief Experimental Engineer, would be a vast improvement on the ones they have had to fit on these wheels, inasmuch as they would be much lighter and should also, he says, be a quieter tyre. I am not attempting to put up the shares of this particular tyre and wheel more than is deserved. The only word that I can find that describes the effect of fitting these tyres and wheels to a Bentley is "Fantastique". Sr. h P.S. The weight of the Michelin tyre and wheel is 18 Kgrs.500, as compared with our 5.50 x 18 tyre and wheel's 22 Kgrs.500 and the 6 x 17 tyre and wheel's 24 Kgrs.500. h P.P.S. I did not have an opportunity of driving the car, fitted with the "Pilot" wheels and tyres in traffic. I feel convinced, however, that with the present type steering, the steering would be too heavy for most people. With the new type steering, this drawback will automatically disappear. h.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} | ||