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).
Outlining the desired specification for the 3 1/2 Litre Bentley sports car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\4\ 04-page345 | |
| Date | 22th June 1933 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} S. to C. Re. 3 1/2 Litre Bentley. We have read the reports of the officials who tried the green Bentley saloon No.2. As we have lived through the Bentley job and the car was practically built upon our suggestions, we think our views may be of interest. In all our discussions as regards the type of car the Bentley should be, Sales Department have never been able to produce a car which gives any indication of the sort of thing they were expecting. One definite piece of information was that they did not wish it to be anything like the 6 cyl. Alfa Romeo that we purchased. Another point was that they expected the car to be sold with a saloon body and have four comfortable seats. We submit the following specification for a sports car which would appeal to a wide range of customers, and the present 3 1/2 Litre Bentley fulfils this specification :- (1) We definitely do not wish to make a car for racing. (2) The car shall have four comfortable seats and the comfort of the passengers both front and rear is to be considered as well as the driver. It is quite possible to have a car in which the driver may get a lot of pleasure out of it but the passengers very little. (3) It should be a car which will answer to the moods of the driver. That is, it could be driven fast with safety or will tour without fuss and noise. (4) It can be looked after by the owner driver and will keep in condition and will not need any special attention. (5) It must be able to operate on standard fuels which are universally distributed. (6) Maximum speed should not be obtained at the expense of acceleration, slow running, and general all-round performance of the car. | ||