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).
Test drive report and critique of a Bentley car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\4\ 04-page322 | |
| Date | 9th June 1933 | |
| COPY C. Copy to FN. Re Bentley Car. I went out on this car and did about 100 miles. For the high speeds I went to Brooklands and did a lap at 82.8 m.p.h. with two up and the flying half-mile at 86.5 m.p.h. For fast touring I consider this car is excellent and capable of putting up a very good average, although I should like it to be five to eight miles an hour faster. The road holding and controllability is very good and so is the springing both at high and low speeds and one feels one has complete control of the car. I did not get any impression of wandering on Brooklands at high speeds and I did not get an opportunity of driving at very high speeds on any road that would show this up. I should like the 3rd gear ratio to be a little lower than at present so as to get even more violent acceleration. Also, this gear has a nasty "sing" on the over-run. The gear lever is too near the instrument board. The brakes are very good. The front of the car does not strike me as being sufficiently imposing. The radiator, would, I think, be improved by being narrower and more pointed. Also the front horn covers should be made to cover as much as possible. The heat in the front is rather unpleasant. No doubt suitable ventilation will be provided. The car is in my opinion rather too much of a Rolls-Royce. I think a freer exhaust would be an improvement. J.L.S. | ||