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 from Paddon Brothers Ltd critiquing the gear ratios of the o.d. 4 1/4 Bentley.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 89\4\ scan0375 | |
| Date | 5th December 1938 | |
| 261 TELEPHONES: KENSINGTON 7205/6/7. CARS OFFERED SUBJECT UNSOLD. ROLLS-ROYCE SPECIALISTS CARS OF ANY MAKE REPAIRS-INSURANCE-SERVICE DIRECTORS: HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF SOMERSET, D.S.O., O.B.E. PHIL PADDON,(MANAGING DIRECTOR) HUGH KELLER. SALES MANAGER: ARTHUR VERLEY. SECRETARY: MISS M.E.JAMES. PADDON BROTHERS LTD ESTABLISHED 1905. LATE OF 1, ALBEMARLE ST.{Capt. P. R. Strong}, PICCADILLY, W.1. 60, Cheval Place, Brompton Road, S.W.7. TELEGRAMS: PADSOP, SOUTHKENS, LONDON. N.B.-PASSING HARRODS ON LEFT, CHEVAL PLACE IS SECOND ON RIGHT. PWP/DF London, 5th December, 1938. P.H. Grylls Esq., Messrs. Rolls Royce Ltd., Nightingale Road, DERBY. My dear Grylls, I don't know what you will think of me for criticising your products, but not too hardly I hope. I should like you to see attached copy of letter to Bleaney ref. the o.d. 4¼ Bentley: I find her definitely over-geared. Yes I know Guy Knowles finds the old one under-geared - I don't agree with him: but he does agree with me (he tried the o.d. this morning) that the 3rd is much too high. The way I like to think in gear ratios is speed per 500 r.p.m: I don't suppose I am telling you anything new when I tell you that the new Bentley gives 13 m.p.h. on top, 11 m.p.h. on 3rd and 7 m.p.h. on 2nd: now the 3rd on the older model gave 8½ m.p.h., which I found ideal for a quick get-past. I know there's a difference between the 3rd on the new one and top on the old one, but it's a very minute one: I always looked upon the old one as being 11 m.p.h. per 500 r.p.m. and I'll swear it's darned near it. On the radiator shutter question I know I'm right even if I am 100% wrong in the rest of my criticisms: do help me to get that modification put in one day. Kindest regards to you. Yours very sincerely, PADDON BROS. LTD., Phil Paddon Managing Director. enc. | ||