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).
Road test report on a Bentley detailing performance, handling, and issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\1\ scan0004 | |
| Date | 13th February 1933 | |
| Copy of report received from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} Dated 13.2.33. BENTLEY. The car is running very well. Petrol consumption 14. m.p.g. Best average about 63 miles in the hour, but there is a lot of traffic on Sunday. The worst feature of the car is undoubtedly the steering, it self centres violently when rounding a corner at high speed, and yet has little directional stability on the straight. The old trouble of getting the car back into the centre of the road up the steep camber is much in evidence. It is not free from road shocks. The speedometer is almost exactly right. We seem to have gained nothing in maximum speed from the higher axle ratio, it being a considerable struggle to get 90 m.p.h. even under favourable conditions, cut-out open. Suspension quite good, also road holding, naturally, controlled dampers would be a great asset. The windscreen wipers should have attention, ours have again failed. The steering wheel rim is too smooth for driving with gloves. The ignition hand control range seems altogether too great. The hand throttle on our car is too rapid, but is only a mock-up, I believe. We have seen two speed 20 Alvis's here, but not going the right way. We hope to get into Italy today. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||