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).
Letter to E.R. Hall regarding the choice of engine oil for a Bentley set to race at Le Mans.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 90a\4\ Scan062 | |
| Date | 31th March 1936 | |
| X 262 Exptl. Dept. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}7/KW. 31st March, 1936. E.R. Hall, Esq., 53, Berkeley Court, LONDON, N.W.1. Dear Hall, Oils for the Bentley. We had a talk round the oil for the Bentley with Wakefields. They explained the position of bonuses very clearly to us and pointed out that they were willing to do everything which they were allowed to do by their agreements in order to support the use of Castrol oil on the Bentley. They state, however, that it is impossible to break their agreements with the other Oil Companies, and that unless the other companies were definitely dishonest, there would be no advantage accruing to you from the use of oil other than Castrol. We presume that this is correct, and under the circumstances are very reluctant to change over from Castrol oils, of which we have a wide experience. We really have quite enough problems on the engine at the present moment without adding to them, particularly as the new bearing material which we have developed, and which will be fitted to your unit, is largely an unknown quantity on anything except Wakefield's oils. As you know, we are always anxious to do all we can to help you, and if there is some point in connection with the oil which we have missed, perhaps you would let us know. The number of the engine which will run at Le Mans is B.21. Yours sincerely, | ||