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).
Customer feedback and internal discussion regarding a 4 1/4 litre Bentley, chassis B-30-GA.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 88\1\ scan0232 | |
| Date | 7th May 1936 | |
| X261 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} C.E (crossed out) Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} (crossed out) EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}11/MH.{M. Huckerby}7.5.36 re 4¼ litre Bentley - B-30-GA Mr.Minchin The above customer, in correspondence expressing his appreciation of his new car, points out that he has now run about 1500 miles, and writes as follows :- "It is a beautiful car, and in every way, I think, an improvement on the 3½, and everything was right in connection with it from the word 'go'. I know you would be disappointed if I did not offer some criticism and if you want it, it is as follows :- 1. The clutch is very much heavier to operate than the earlier model and is a bit tiring in London traffic. 2. The back axle is distinctly noisy on the over-run at 40 m.p.h., which is a set of circumstances one often gets. It sets up quite a howl, but the Bentley Service Station tried it and said that it was quite a good one and I should not get anything better! 3. The control levers do not seem to have sufficiently positive locking, as if the teeth were not deep enough, and they are apt to rattle a little at high speed." He hopes to be coming to Derby before long, and as we shall probably not see him no doubt he will be discussing the above points with you. In discussing the points with Mx{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} .- 1. We do not agree, and our impression is that the clutch on this car is lighter than the 3½ litre Bentley. Possibly there may be something wrong with his present mechanism. | ||