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).
Synopsis of discussions and criticisms regarding a Bentley car's performance, particularly its top speed.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\4\ 04-page318 | |
| Date | 15th June 1933 | |
| S/W...Hn.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders} C. to MGR. COPY RE BENTLEY. --------- With reference to our Conference at Brooklands on Monday, I am giving herewith a synopsis of our discussion and criticisms from this end. It is hardly necessary for me to reiterate that everyone who tried the car was delighted with it in all the essential features, other than dealt with below. There are only three criticisms, namely:- (1) The top speed attained. All were expecting to get an honest 90 m.p.h. on the flat without necessarily favourable or unfavourable conditions - that is to say, with ordinary neutral conditions, whereas this was not so. On this particular car we realised that, as compared with No.1. car there would be some miles per hour at top speed lost on account of the lower gearing, which should have been compensated for by the increased acceleration. We were not, of course, able to compare the acceleration, although all agreed that the car is very fine in this respect. But this particular car appeared to be between 2 and 3 miles an hour slower on the lap speed at Brooklands than it should be, after allowance had been made for the gear ratio. We therefore agreed as follows:- Your suggestions that after Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} had received the results of the wind tunnel tests he would design a body where comfort was sacrificed to pure stream lining, and that with this car you would probably be able to give us a flat speed of 100 m.p.h. This car you called the "Shop window car" and we like this idea very much, as we shall be able to demonstrate to anyone who criticises the Bentley with the Saloon body, that this is what we can give if they are prepared to make sacrifices in other directions; but that top speed does bear a very direct relationship to wind resistance and weight, and therefore body comfort. Bentley No.2. you agreed was not as good as it should be, and that you would let us have it back at the end of next week when you would give us 85 m.p.h. circuit speed at Brooklands track and 90 m.p.h. on straight run at Brooklands, with cutout closed. | ||