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 complaint letter to Bentley Motors regarding the performance of a 3 1/2 Litre car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 89\1\ scan0155 | |
| Date | 8th March 1935 | |
| RFS.P.1/1. 8th. March, 1935. Messrs. Bentley Motors Ltd., 16 Conduit St.{Capt. P. R. Strong}, London, W.1. Dear Sirs, 3½ LITRE BENTLEY No. B.169.CW. I have now covered nearly two thousand miles on the above car, and have had an opportunity of making comparisons between this and my previous car, B.65.AE. There is no question that the body work on the present car is a distinct improvement, and I find the controllable shock absorbers an advantage. I regret to say, however, that you appear to have fallen into the trap that practically every maker of fast cars has done in the past - you have increased the weight of the car without increasing the power out-put of the engine, with the result that the performance has suffered. The acceleration of the present car on top and third gear below about 45 m.p.hr. is definitely inferior to the 1934 model. As the Bentley is obviously a car which is sold on performance, in my opinion this reduction in performance is very unfortunate. I cannot help feeling that anybody who has owned both a 1934 and 1935 model will be disappointed in the performance of the latter. The increased weight, which in my case is about 3cwt also detracts from the cornering properties of the car, but as an individual this does not worry me so much as the lack of low-speed acceleration. The difference in the performance of the two cars is very noticeable when one goes straight from one to the other, and as my brother has retained his original car, I have had the opportunity of making this comparison, so that I am satisfied that it is not a matter of imagination. I have also tried other 1935 cars, and I am satisfied that mine is well up to standard, so that there is no question that the difference is due simply to the added weight. | ||