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).
Road test report on car 6-B-IV detailing handling issues and suggesting improvements.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 83\1\ scan0108 | |
| Date | 17th March 1936 | |
| X200 a Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Hdy.{William Hardy} EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} E.1/HP.17.3.36. re 6-B-IV. During the week-end I drove 6-B-IV about 250 miles on West of England roads, and was disappointed with the handling of the car. There appeared to be more steering reaction than with the standard Bentley, and a feature not previously noticed with the Bentley was a tendency to dive with a change in road surface level. There was also unpleasant front end resonance and although the radiator and wings were fairly steady they did show vibration under these conditions. This car is fitted with a fixed bumper which does nothing more at the moment than add to the inertia of the front end. It appears to me we ought to try it with a stabiliser bumper. For the amount of change involved on 6-B-I we do not seem to get much out of it at the moment. Another point about this car which has struck me as being capable of improvement is the seating position. The bucket seat is noticeably out of centre with the steering wheel, bringing uncomfortable pressure to bear on the left shoulder. I fear that we shall have to move the steering wheel out on the next Bentley to improve this feature. It could be done as on the Riley with the column sloping in plan view. The green warning lamp for the petrol reserve worked very well, and its occulting effect when coming into play quickly draws attention. I tried out the new petrol tank filler, and this took the full discharge very well from the usual type of electrically driven pump, but only when the nozzle was properly pushed into position. I think people would get used to doing this. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} [signature] | ||