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).
Letter discussing parts procurement, performance enhancements for Bentley engines, and the decision regarding Le Mans.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27a\1\ Scan251 | |
| Date | 6th March 1935 | |
| W/P - Sr. x4013 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}7/KW.6.3.35. Dear Sr., How are you getting on with bumper bars and lead bronze big end bearings ? I wonder whether you can get hold of a blue print of the Hispano 12-cylinder induction system for me ? If not, can you get a sketch with the approximate dimensions ? We have now got Standardisation Sheets completed for high compression cylinder heads and Aerolite pistons. These two modifications combined increase the output of the Bentley engine by about 17 B.H.P. and would form a useful addition to cars on which the owners are particularly enthusiastic about performance. I suggest that if you feel this increased performance would really be of value to you, you should write to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and point out the attitude of mind of the Frenchman and the fact that you would like to know whether any of the parts such as pistons and cylinder heads which improve performance, and which you know Hancock has been running, have now been standardised; if so, can you get them on cars delivered to your Order Number. I know you can have the pistons now if you get Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}'s agreement, and they could probably put through some cylinder heads for you in a very short time. The decision of the Board with regard to Le Mans was very distressing but cannot be helped. I expect to be in France in about a month's time, and thereafter anticipate being over fairly frequently during the summer. In particular I hope at least to watch the Le Mans as a somewhat disgruntled spectator! Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||