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).
Internal report evaluating a car's design, performance, and practicality compared to competitors.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161\1\ scan0118 | |
| Date | 15th July 1938 | |
| -3- The complete undersheet would be a nuisance in customers' hands, and, fortunately, our tests show that this has very little effect on top speed. We heard nothing but praise for the appearance of the car, but this is due to the fact that it suits the Continental temperament. Nevertheless, it would certainly create a great deal of interest if it were exhibited at either the Salon or Olympia. Briefly then, in this car, utility has been sacrificed in the following particulars:- (1) Reduced luggage accommodation. (2) Unconventional appearance. (3) Access to rear seats (no worse than any two-door car.) (4) Lack of head room, particularly regarding the rear seat passengers, and a certain amount of cushion comfort. It is, however, a very practical car, and, in this respect, entirely different from the old 100 m.p.h. Expt. body produced when the Bentley was first introduced. We consider that this car is a very useful piece of experimental apparatus, and if, as we understand is possible, the customer would loan it to the Company for a few weeks, we would recommend that it is brought over to England to be examined by Conduit Street. We observe that recently the Motor papers have credited three of our competitors in the Sports Car Class with a maximum speed of over 100 m.p.h. Our own cars have never attained this figure in official tests. We should expect the Paulin car to approach a figure of 110 m.p.h. when tested under "The Motor" conditions. We should also like to get a lot more data from this body so that we can match up with our wind tunnel tests, and see whether there is anything we can cash in on, on the standard car. After the car has been seen and tried we should like consideration to be given as to whether it is worth while building a compromise 4-door body for B.III with more head room, and offering it to the type of customer to whom performance is of primary importance. | ||