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).
List of criticisms and suggestions regarding various Bentley car details.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\6\ 06-page089 | |
| Date | 15th November 1933 | |
| Gear Lever x 4-33 S/W...Mon. c.c. L> Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Re BENTLEY. We had a collection made of the various criticisms of the Bentley car details, at the Show and in the Showrooms, and the following is a list of the points we would like your advice upon:- (1) Steering column, in some cases too short. Tall people either sit up close and their knees foul the instrument board or they push the seat back and the wheel is too far away. We are, of course, aware that there is an adjustment to the steering column and pedals which allows of a variation of the position and we think if this is taken advantage of the majority of cases can be dealt with. We think, however, in respect of really tall people we shall get a demand for a somewhat longer column. May we, in such cases, offer to supply this at some small extra charge? We are aware that this difficulty can be partially overcome by altering the position of the instrument board, which is receiving the attention of Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} (2) Gear lever set in too much, and it ought to be further away from the driver's leg. A good many criticised this. We understand that you are giving this your attention and we would like the lever to be as far away as possible. We understand Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} is also giving this attention. (3) It was suggested that if the petrol filler were put at the end of the tank it would give better luggage accommodation. We would also like the filler at the end of the tank so that it projects outside the body, from the point of view of preventing fumes, which there is a possibility of with the filler in its present position. This fume question is one of the points that has been criticised by people who have tried the car. We are getting a drawing from a Coachbuilder showing just exactly what we suggest, and will send this to you in the course of a post or two. (4) A number of people expressed surprise at no magneto being fitted. (5) Permanent located jacks were suggested in view of [Handwritten in margin] SHORT LEVER M.B.G. | ||