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).
Extract from a showroom report concerning Mr. J.W. Banks' comparison of a Lagonda and a Bentley.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 89\4\ scan0209 | |
| Date | 20th December 1937 | |
| Miss Reece 261 ③ S/W.....HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} -> Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} What time does Mr Banks arrive between 2.30 + 3pm Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} You will be interested in the following extract from Showroom Report re Mr. J.W.Banks:- "He called later in the day to say he had been out on the 12 cylinder short wheel base Lagonda which had been to Brooklands and had carried out various tests. He was of the opinion that it was a much superior car to the 4¼-litre Bentley, this was in every respect. Lagondas made him a very attractive proposition for his Bentley in exchange for a Lagonda - that is, a much bigger allowance for the Bentley than we had suggested, and were anxious to obtain his order at once. He was not prepared to do this until he had tried one of their production cars; this he expects will be in the near future, as he had visited their Works and had seen numerous chassis in the course of erection. He said this was the first time he had found a car which would tempt him to change from his 3½-litre Bentley. 4¼-litre Bentleys would not on their present performance. As we are arranging for his car to be examined by RM.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} I think perhaps they may be able to talk to him about Bentley performance generally." | ||