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).
Comparative test report on the Bentley B.III and B-4-MR, focusing on suspension and performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 97\1\ scan0253 | |
| Date | 8th November 1938 | |
| SECRET. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. " Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. " BX. c. " Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. " Bly.{B. W. Bleaney - Bentley Sales} Bentley III. Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}2/KW/11.11.38. Written 8.11.38. In company with Messrs Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}, Mx{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} and Dodds I was able to try another B.III today, and to make some comparative tests with it and B-4-MR (present Trials Coupe). The results, I am glad to say, were much more satisfactory than when Bly{B. W. Bleaney - Bentley Sales} and I tried the first one submitted to S. The suspension of B.III and the resultant comfort for occupants of car when driven very fast over a bumpy and wavy road were vastly superior to present springing, as was also the general controllability of the car under the conditions prevailing during the test. The convincing part of the test was when B-4-MR was afterwards driven fast over the same road. The inferiority was very marked. To be fair, however, to B-4-MR, I ought to record that the shock absorber control was not functioning correctly. I was suspicious of it on the way from London to Derby. This was rectified after the test. It would not however affect my summary above re suspension. Also, the shock absorber control on the B.III (7-B-IV) was of an experimental nature as regards its control. On performance, i.e. acceleration and maximum speed, the result of driving the two cars side by side showed that the difference was negligible. I was able with both to reach a speed as indicated by speedometers, of 100 m.p.h. The conditions for producing this three-figure speed were very favourable, i.e. an appreciable decline and a following breeze. I should still like to see the Bentley car manage another 10 m.p.h. under normal, as opposed to very favourable conditions. (cont) | ||