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).
Expressing disappointment over publicity in 'The Motor' magazine regarding Bentley performance and discussing post-war strategy.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\5\ scan0062 | |
| Date | 9th December 1940 | |
| Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}8/ML.9.12.40. BENTLEY PUBLICITY. Herewith a copy of the "Motor" of the 4th. December, containing a write-up of Bentley V's. Frankly, we are disappointed in the way the performance aspect of the car has been handled and feel that, as a first announcement, this will do harm. The "Bentley" is sold as the premier sports car in the country and must retain its reputation as such, or hand over a large proportion of its clientele to Lagondas. Presumably, since Brooklands is not open, Pomeroy obtained his figures from Conduit Street. To talk about the maximum road speed of B.V. being 85 - 90 m.p.h. is, of course, absolute nonsense. The top road speed under favourable conditions is 8 - 10 m.p.h. higher than the lap speed on Brooklands. In other words, B.II. and B.V. both have a top speed of about 97½ m.p.h. I myself have timed 8.B. at this speed on an autobahn several times. Lp{Mr Lappin}'s car is similar. The Corniche, with special tyres, lapped at 107 m.p.h., about 7 m.p.h. higher than any car tested by the Motor Papers. This car is based on Eyston's that did 114 miles in the hour. Therefore to say that 97 m.p.h. can safely be maintained is another curious under-statement. I attach a list of speeds that have been printed in the Motor and the Autocar regarding our competitors. You will note that the 6-cylinder Lagonda, which we have three times beaten at 3 - 1 odds in the Tourist Trophy Race, is credited with a top track speed of 94.74., 96.77., and 100.56 m.p.h. The 1941 Bentley is credited with a top speed of 85 - 90 m.p.h. Frankly, after reading this article, in view of Rolls-Royce's preoccupation with war work, we formed the opinion that the Bentley Company's post-war policy was to make a slow standard car and a moderately fast "freak" car, whereas the 12-cylinder Lagonda had all the comfort and virtues of a standard car with 100 m.p.h. top speed, in spite of using an engine of much the same size as that of the Bentley. - Continued - | ||