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).
The results of speed tests for two Bentley trial cars, an Aerodynamic and an open tourer, at the Montlhery track.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 90\1\ Scan060 | |
| Date | 22th December 1933 | |
| To "Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}" Derby Showrooms Sr4/MTG.22.12.33 Y 261 Re: Bentley trials car ----------------- As agreed, we took both the Bentleys to Montlery yesterday morning after having been advised that the track was fit for speed tests . We called at the Automobile Club de France and picked up Mr. Foureau, the official timer. After going round a few times in the open tourer with the windscreen up and Pattinson seating beside me to reconnoitre, owing to the presence of snow and several slippery patches, we decided that with a little manouvering we could make our attempt. 86.3 Incidentally on the last two laps of this occasion I let the car full out and our best lap was covered at approximately 138 kms per hour. I will get this confirmed for I must admit that I did not attach any importance to this particular lap. I took the Aerodynamic round the course three or four times to get it thoroughly warmed up and then made three consecutive laps all out . The best lap gave the following readings :- 157.623 kms per hour i.e. 97.94 M.P.H. Time 58 1/5" Distance : 2.548 kilometres I then took the open tourer, lowered the windscreen and after warming up over several laps, the following reading was obtained over the best lap :- 146.544 kms per hour i.e. 91.05 M.P.H. Time 1' 2 2/5" Distance : 2.548 kms You will be interested to know that the cars were in standard trim; by this I mean that no special plugs were fitted and we did have trouble of any description with the latter, In spite of the fact that on the aerodynamic I went round nearly three times in third at approx. 4000 to 4250 r.p.m. On the best lap with this car the maximum revs at times, as near as I could tell, were approx. 4300 to 4350 . On the other hand, the open tourer on my best lap registered 4450 R.P.M. and on one occasion 4500 R.P.M. This I am sure of. The water temperatures were normal . The oil pressure on the aerodynamic was a little under 30 lbs but on the open tourer a good 40 lbs. With regard to the performances it is interesting to note that there was only a difference of 1/5" or so in the respective laps. This remark applies to both cars. "Sr" | ||