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).
Meeting report discussing Phantom II issues and a comparative road test of an 8 Litre Bentley.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65a\3\ scan0270 | |
| Date | 31th January 1931 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} PN.{Mr Northey} X7770 Hsl/MJ.31.1.31. File Copy PHANTOM II. A meeting was held at St.{Capt. P. R. Strong} Albans, (Present were Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}, PN.{Mr Northey}, E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer}, By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}), in order to discuss the two telegrams which were received from R.{Sir Henry Royce} on the 26th. and 28th. inst relating to the troubles on the Phantom II. Previous to the meeting PN.{Mr Northey} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} had tested on the road an 8 Litre Bentley. The trial run was arranged directly with W.O.Bentley and Col. Barrington on condition that we reciprocated and let them try one of our cars. Each of us drove the Bentley car, which had a small enclosed coupled saloon body. They make two types, high and low compression. The car we tried was a high compressed type. Taking the car generally, one had to admit it was a very good motor car. We must dismiss from our minds that the Bentley is a purely sporting car. The one we tried would make an excellent town carriage. As regards torque reaction it was bad, much worse than our bad cars for this feature. The speed at which it came on was a similar speed to ours (18 to 22 M.P.H.). Once we had got through this speed the engine then was remarkably smooth. We could run the engine up on 3rd. gear to 3,500 to 3,800 revs without any apparent roughness. Mr. Bentley stated that in races they had run the engine up to 4,000. The car had two expanding S.U. carburetters. It was also fitted with twin Delco battery ignition. Previously they always used magneto and battery, but they have now changed over to twin battery. They offered the opinion that from long tests they have made it proved to be more reliable. The car we tried had a Robert Bosch starter motor which they said was the best they were able to purchase, the generator being driven direct off the crankshaft was a special Rotax third brush machine. They stated that they had found a battery in the Young battery which did not mind being over-charged and would stand up to abuse which they found in no other battery. They stated that they found the Young battery more than good, it was marvellous. | ||