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).
Possibility of fitting larger diameter brake drums to Bentley cars to improve braking performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 84\2\ scan0196 | |
| Date | 3rd December 1934 | |
| #S 206 To Wep. from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} re Bentley Brakes. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}8/E3.12.34 Copy to E.Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} I have been considering for a long time - and have mentioned on one or two occasions - the question of our making and testing some larger diameter brake drums than are standard on the Bentley I had an idea that some had been made but am not sure whether this is correct. I suggest that we should have some at least 2" or 3" bigger in diameter and, if possible, a little wider than the present ones, so as to get greater braking surfaces. I know that the objection raised will be one of weight but if, as I believe, we shall have better brakes as the result, the small additional weight is not of very great importance. We have known from the start that the brake drums on the Bentley car are definitely small as compared with other sporting cars made at home and abroad, and I have felt all along that part of our brake troubles is due to our trying to make our brakes do too much work for their size. It should not mean very much in the way of designing as it should be merely a question of scaling up. I should be glad if you would go into the question with E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} and then let me know how soon a set can be made. One would like to get them on 5-B-IV if possible. I thought that wider brake drums were going to be tried on 5-B-IV but I cannot see them in Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}15/KW.26.10.34 giving the list of points to be tried on that car, but in any case I do not think that wider drums are sufficient - hence my request for larger diameter drums. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||