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).
Test drive impression report on a Bentley Blue Coupe.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\4\ 04-page309 | |
| Date | 9th June 1933 | |
| Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Lid.{A. J. Lidsey} from Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Hy{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer}1/R.9.6.33. Re: Bentley Blue Coupe. My impressions of this car during Whitsun are as follows (I was not able to take the car for a long run, but used it for a number of short journeys totalling something over 100 miles in all) :- Steering. Good, but thought it not quite so selective as the Black Saloon. Springing. Rather hard, and not so pleasant as the Black Saloon, also inclined to bounce on bad roads. Tyres. Appear to me to be very unyielding and felt rather like solids. My impression is that the India tyres are dead and not yielding enough to swallow up small obstacles on this car - every little ridge in the road and even small stones can be felt. I would suggest making a direct comparison by changing wheels and trying Dunlop or other types when running over small strips of wood or some similar low obstruction. Gearbox. Did not appear to change as easily and sweetly as usual. Engine. Mechanically rather noisy, and slow running distinctly bad. Starting up very easy. Brakes. Very good. Body. A really bad type of body in my opinion. The large heavy doors are difficult to operate, and a great source of danger if allowed to fall open. One is always worrying whether anyone is going to push these huge doors open and cause some damage. The hood is very untidy and ugly when folded back. Cannot wear a hat in the front seat. Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} | ||