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).
Importance of reducing windage and aerodynamic drag in future car designs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161\1\ scan0088 | |
| Date | 22th February 1938 | |
| -2- In other words, the very nature of the B.III specification and its position in the rationalised programme, indicates that even more than in the past this car is now intended to appeal to the connoisseur to whom performance is a primary consideration. Incidentally psychology, we appreciated, cannot be ignored, many Bentley owners to-day buying the car because it is known to be capable of acceleration and speed that they never want to utilise. The point we wish to make is that it cannot be right to be willing to sacrifice accommodation and durability for performance, and yet ignore the influence of reduction in windage, which, due to recent progress, has now become of primary importance. As an example of the advance that has been made, in 1936 we were amazed at the results obtained with the Dubonnet Car Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs}16/KW.6.4.36. This car necessitated an entirely unconventional chassis with the engine at the rear, independent rear wheel suspension, exceptionally short power plant etc. etc. Eighteen months later two entirely independent series of wind tunnel tests indicate that a body can be put on a standard Bentley chassis, giving standard front seating accommodation, which produces at least 15% better results for the same H.P. than the complete Dubonnet car. We have the big advantage that owing to the large percentage of custom built bodies demanded, we can take immediate advantage of such progress to try out the practic-ability of a low windage body on any customer to whom it is likely to appeal. We do not think it is generally realised to what extent large production manufacturers have moved in the direction of reduced windage, particularly in those countries where high speed roads exist. We are of the opinion that the Opel of Germany, Fiat of Italy, Peugeot of France, and several American cars, such as air flow Chrysler, Cord and Lincoln Zephyr, have moved considerably in the direction of reduced drag at the expense of unconventional appearance. It does not seem logical that we should lag behind concerns that have to cater for the masses as opposed to the individual. | ||