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).
The development and features of the high-speed 'Corniche' model compared to the standard car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\5\ scan0080 | |
| Date | 17th December 1940 guessed | |
| - 4 - Since, however, immediately prior to the outbreak of war, there were a number of continental roads where a speed in excess of 100 m.p.h. could be utilised, a special model has been developed to cater for these conditions, and this is known as the "Corniche". The "Corniche" body contributes towards the increase in maximum speed, owing to a scientific reduction in windage, but little room has been sacrificed; in fact the car is actually wider, though it has slightly less head room. The luggage accommodation is less than the standard car, as the spare wheel is stowed at the back. It is, however at least 10 m.p.h. faster than the standard model, though obviously, owing to its very high gear ratio and higher compression engine, it is not so tractable in top gear. There is no doubt that the Standard model will prove fast enough for more than 90% of customers, who habitually use their cars in England. Extensive tests have been carried out on both models on the Continent, and various production models of the Standard B.V have now covered over a quarter of a million miles in the Company's service. The durability has proved to be better than that of any Bentley which has previously been produced. There is no doubt that the new car will put up a higher average, for the same amount of driving effort, than its predecessors. | ||