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).
Letter comparing the performance and character of Bentley cars against American and other British marques.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 153\4\ scan0144 | |
| Date | 19th May 1943 guessed | |
| to what does all this boil down to? The last parting shot delivered by these American was: - one cheap Hudson 8 gives 128 BHP from 4168cc & is good for 80,000 miles. The Buick gives 165 from 5250cc & lasts 100,000 easily. So the Bentley's not so red. hot at 130 from 4 1/4 litre especially as Lagondas have given 180 from 4 1/2 L for 6/7 yrs now! It boils down to this, sir! The old Bentleys were HE'S! I owned a 4 1/2 L without blower. Your present Bentley is a LADY: a refined gentlewoman But what a thousand pities - to me & others who appreciate quality, that your Bentley in its 1939 form had to bow the knee on PERFORMANCE ie, speed, acceleration, hill-climbing, to the 12 Lagonda, the 4.3L Alvis, & even on acceleration to the SS{S. Smith} - a 3 1/2 L (made by Standard - of all people) & selling at £1000 less. and then there's that tiresome & even a bulging monstrosity (like the Cadillac - in my eyes) but a GO-ER & a STAYER For me to stand & cheer, as I so want to - & hundreds of other enthusiasts too, may I meekly suggest :- 100 mph easily; 0-70 in 15 secs easily, & not a long-stroke push rod 6, please Yrs. most sincerely, with every good wish E.F. Goodall | ||