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).
Updates to the Bentley V including accessory drive, ride, tyres, and steering wheel.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161a\3\ scan0131 | |
| Date | 21th April 1939 | |
| - 9 - BENTLEY V.{VIENNA} cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} ACCESSORY DRIVE. We are using the lightening type of wheel made in improved Continental Bakelite material, as will be used for future Wraiths. The Metalastik rubber drive has done sufficient mileage to be introduced safely. "RIDE". The tension shackle has been adopted for use on Bentley V.{VIENNA} in conjunction with a hardened screwed shackle pin. This enables us to keep the unladen height of the car within reason, whilst using flexible springs. TYRES. The new tyre referred to at the Conference in January has now been fully tested on the skid pan, and is fitted to all of our Bentley V.{VIENNA} cars. It is lighter, better from the point of view of silence and more durable than the India or Dunlop tyres, and we consider that in view of the work done and the fact that it is less costly, it should be adopted on the Bentley V.{VIENNA} car. The tyre in question has been developed as a result of mutual work between ourselves and the Avon Co. (as reported by Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}) STEERING. - Steering Wheel. This has been dealt with under a similar heading for Wraith, asthe wheel in question was intended for use on both cars. Joggles. Mx{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer}'s report (Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer}1/MG.15.4.39.) is as follows:- Reactions on steering wheel complained of on last run in Decemberare now absent. This improvement has been effected by giving more 'sponge' which necessitates slightly more wheel movement. Further investigation is being made to determine whether less sponge will give a reasonable compromise. | ||