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).
Impressions and comparisons of a B.III model vehicle following a test drive.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\5\ scan0017 | |
| Date | 20th October 1938 | |
| 1245 also 400.b S E C R E T. To Bentley Motors Ltd. Derby.................. Copy to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} George V Sr.I/ET.20.10.38 The object of this memo is to describe, if possible, my impressions of B.III. A very interesting test, in my opinion, was carried out on Sunday last, when we were able to cover approximately 176 Kms. driving in turn our ex demonstration car (B.35.KU) which is considered over here as being the best example of its sort, our present demonstrator (B.6.MR) which I believe has every possibility of being a good car, and B.III as it is to-day. Before starting on this run, I was definitely under the impression that there was not a lot of difference between B.35.KU and B.6.MR. In fact, I was enclined to be disappointed with B.6.MR. My first impression when driving this latter car, when it was first put on the road some three weeks ago, was that the steering was disagreeably light, and that far from going straight down the road with a minimum effort on behalf of the driver, one had to look after the car constantly; more so, in fact, than on B.35.KU. The marked advantage of B.6.MR, in my opinion, before carrying out the test we are going to attempt to describe shortly, was a decided extra turn of speed due to the overdrive gear box enabling one to drive constantly flat out at speedometer readings of 150/160 Kms. per hour, in complete silence and with a feeling that the engine was in no way being put to an unnecessary strain. Now for the test: my first impression of B.III when I saw it was of a hulking great motor car, unnecessarily high and no beauty to look at. The front has certainly been cleaned up and I am convinced that, when the head lamps, Mellotone horns and fog lamps, which are still hanging on the front like crackers on a Christmas tree, have been incorporated into the wings as on most streamlined cars, the front will be quite a good job. The luggage accommodation of the body seemed good. The comfort of the seats was bad compared with our cars. The front pillars were far too thick and seemed to be a step back in the wrong direction. So much for the body and the general appearance of this car. | ||