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 detailing performance issues with a new 4¼ litre Bentley, including lack of power, engine noise, and difficult gear changes.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 90\4\ scan0147 | |
| Date | 24th February 1938 | |
| 261. ss.{S. Smith} ENGLISH RACING AUTOMOBILES LTD BOURNE LINCS DIRECTORS H.W.COOK RAYMOND MAYS PETER BERTHON TELEPHONE BOURNE 121 OUR REF RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/JB. DATE 24th February, 1938. S. W. Grylls, Esq., Messrs. Rolls Royce, Ltd., DERBY. My dear Grylls, I have now had my new 4¼ litre Bentley for about 10 days and have covered just over 1,000 miles on the car. Although I realise that the car is by no means at her best owing to the small mileage, at the same time I do not consider she compares favourably in performance with my last 4¼ litre at the same mileage. The engine is definitely lacking in power throughout the range and does not feel free anywhere. At just over 61 m.p.h. a very noticeable droning noise occurs, and between this speed and 70 it is apparent all the while, and the noise becomes slightly worse between 70 and 60 when decelerating. The gear change from second to third is not quite as nice as on the previous cars I have had as the gear does not always go into third smoothly, and some times it seems to hang making it difficult to get into third gear. I am writing to you personally about this, and at the same time I am going to drop a line to Cowan suggesting that I bring the car back to Derby for you to look over the car after she has covered a certain distance. AND AT BROOKLANDS TRACK, WEYBRIDGE, SURREY MANUFACTURERS OF "E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} R.{Sir Henry Royce} A.{Mr Adams}" RACING CARS MURRAY JAMIESON SUPERCHARGERS AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH ENGINEERS CUSTOMERS' CARS ARE DRIVEN BY OUR STAFF ONLY AT CUSTOMERS' OWN RISK | ||