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).
Page of correspondence from 'The Autocar' magazine discussing various car models and technical aspects.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\5\ scan0181 | |
| Date | 7th February 1941 | |
| PUBLICITY FILE 1378 February 7th, 1941 The Autocar 133 Correspondence my limited experience (I have owned a Fiat for over a year) the m.p.g. that can be guaranteed in normal use (i.e., 6 miles each way every day) is about 35-40 or, when on long journeys under ideal conditions, 45-55. This car has now done nearly 20,000 miles, and, although there was a slight improvement after reconditioning the engine, this has not been maintained. In these busy times I get so little spare time that the effort of keeping the car in perfect tune (and these little cars need constant attention), and the monotonous driving entailed to obtain these high consumption figures, are, to my mind, not worth the candle. I regret that I must use a nom de plume. HEAD LIGHT. Walsall. “TALKING OF SPORTS CARS” Builders of Hybrid Machines [49972.] — I have for many years read your very fine journal and still do (when I can get it). Being somewhat of a builder of hybrids myself, I was very interested in Mr. Humphrey Oliver’s M.G. (described in “Talking of Sports Cars,” The Autocar, January 17th). My last effort, which was taking shape just before the war broke out, was a Hillman Aero Minx, which was to be fitted with a 22 h.p. Ford V8 engine. Alas! the bits were sold when I joined up, and it is now no more. With me in my unit are two more builders of “specials,” and this prompts a somewhat “cheeky” request. Have any of your readers got an old vintage sports car of low h.p. which they are thinking of scrapping? If so, I assure them we could find a very good home for it. Home Forces. A.{Mr Adams} R.{Sir Henry Royce} CARLILE (Pte.). Superb Engine Finish [49973.]—An article on a “3.3” Bugatti under this heading in The Autocar of January 24th is very interesting, but also very tantalising, as there was no opportunity to try out the performance. Your contributor specially refers to the superb finish of the engine; wonderful as it is, however, I cannot think that it surpasses that of the big Lanchesters. On them, also, “even parts such as an inspection plate tucked away in the background” were polished: e.g., the oil-hole cover of the gear box and of the back axle. They told me that at Armourer Mills one man did nothing else but apply the pattern, by hand with a special tool, to the external parts. The interesting letter from America [49943] makes one ask for a guide to American coachwork nomenclature—such as town car, phaeton, landau and brougham. Godmanston, Dorchester. W STUART BEST. The 8-litre Bentley Compared with Modern Cars [49974.] — Mr. F.{Mr Friese} Lycett, who would appear to be assuming the post of your resident correspondent, always has an argument ready to deal with any statement. For instance, Mr. John P. Bennett’s remarks [49919] were most apt; but that does not deter Mr. Lycett. If it is not the circuit, it is the driver, and so on. In these circumstances it is almost impossible to convince him that a comparison is true or even of interest. His old car, potent though it may be, is an absurd machine, grossly over-engined for any purpose on the roads, and with an out-of-date chassis, which puts it at an immediate disadvantage when competing with modern cars. I might add that I have either owned, or had access to, in my family circle all the different old-type Bentley cars, including the 8-litre. They were marvellous cars in their day. Mr. Lycett’s car, in spite of continuous and costly alterations, cannot attempt to compete with such modern cars as the T.T. Bentley or the 2.9-litre supercharged Alfa-Romeo. Mr. Bennett has shown that the 8-litre would not shine round the T.T. circuit. Can anyone imagine it competing in such an event as the Italian 1,000 Miles Race, for instance, with any success? Personally, I cannot. OMEGA. Dumfries. Comparable Times up Shelsley Walsh [49975.]—Whatever truth may lie in “Tourist Trophy’s” [49931] contention that “the big cars of yesterday cannot compare with smaller, modern, high-quality sports cars for performance under modern traffic conditions from point to point,” little support therefor is gained by quoting the T.T. Bentley’s fastest time up Shelsley Walsh and my 8-litre Bentley’s slowest. Best times were 46.4 sec. and 44.08 respectively. Incidentally, Caracciola on the all-conquering, ultra-short-chassis 7-litre blown Mercedes, a car which was capable of certainly 130 m.p.h. with full road equipment, climbed in 46.8 sec. It is significant that those, cognoscenti included, who enthuse over the 8-litre Bentley have invariably ridden in it; the Doubting Thomases never. F.{Mr Friese} LYCETT. London, S.W.5. The Remarkable Performance of the 3½-litre Bentley in the T.T. [49976.]—I have noted with interest the various letters which have been published in your recent issues, comparing the old- and new-type Bentleys, and also referring to the Tourist Trophy race. The figures quoted for the 8-litre at Shelsley are not the best performance of this car, since it clocked 44.08 sec. on one occasion. [As pointed out by another correspondent and also by the owner of the car.—ED.{J. L. Edwards}] This is certainly a remarkable example of sheer acceleration. Further reference to the T.T. prompted me to see what I could find out of E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} R.{Sir Henry Royce} Hall’s 3½-litre Bentley in this Number One classic of road races. This car competed for three years in succession. It was not a team but a private entry, and no other Bentley was running. Its average speed over the course was as follows:— 1934—78.4 m.p.h. 1935—80.36 m.p.h. } (Course record, supercharged or unsupercharged) 1936—80.81 m.p.h. This is a record of speed with reliability that would be hard to beat. It seems to be a curious characteristic of the British motoring public that no model is fully appreciated until it is out of production. Where is this car now? How does it compare with the Mark V Bentley which you recently reviewed? ROLVAT Knutsford, Cheshire. SUMMARY OF CORRESPONDENCE RED LABEL BENTLEY.—“H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore},” Poole, Dorset, wishes to obtain a 3-litre Red Label Bentley for £10, and would appreciate hearing from a fellow-reader as to where such a car could be found. He mentions that distance is no object. “MOTOR RACING.”—Is any reader willing to sell his copy of “Motor Racing,” by S. C. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Davis? If so, Capt. “J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore}” will much appreciate the offer, he having had to leave his treasured copy at Dunkirk. BOOKS for MOTORISTS Issued in conjunction with "THE AUTOCAR" The Autocar Handbook ... 3/- ... 3/5 The Autocar Guide for the "L" Driver ... 1/- ... 1/2 Look After Your Car... ... 2/6 ... 2/9 The Motor Vehicle ... ... 10/6 ... 11/1 Know Your Car ... ... ... 2/- ... 2/2 Motor Driving Made Easy ... 2/6 ... 2/10 More Sketches by Casque ... 2/- ... 2/3 Automobile Electrical Equipment ... 10/6 ... 11/1 The Modern Diesel ... ... 3/6 ... 3/11 The Autocar Register ... ... 3/- ... 3/5 By P. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Heldt, U.S.A.: High Speed Combustion Engines ... 42/- ... 42/7 Motor Vehicles and Tractors ... 42/- ... 42/7 Fuels and Carburettors ... ... 18/- ... 18/7 High Speed Diesel Engines ... 27/- ... 27/7 Full particulars of any of the above books will be sent on application. Obtainable from Leading Booksellers and Railway Bookstalls or direct (remittance with order) from ILIFFE & SONS LTD., Dorset House, Stamford Street, London, S.E.1 | ||