Secret internal memo discussing the pros and cons of a 24-hour endurance run at Montlhery for publicity purposes.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\3\ scan0119 | |
| Date | 26th January 1939 | |
| 1379 SECRET. Sg. {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. By. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 7/R.26.1.39. BENTLEY PUBLICITY. We attach a copy of a letter we have received from George Eyston on the subject of a 24 hour run at Montlhery. We realise that if we suggest going ahead with the 24 hour run almost immediately, it may be considered that we are trying to get all our publicity in one large lump. Nevertheless, we feel that other considerations may make this desirable if it is decided that it is worth going for the 24 hour run at all. Personally, we believe it is worth going for the 24 hour record because - (1) We have already done 90% of the necessary develop-ment work to stand a very excellent chance of putting up an outstanding performance, in fact better than anything previously achieved with a saloon car. The work was done when we prepared E.R. Hall's car for Le Mans, the race which was not run. (2) Anything we can do for an hour on the track will not be sufficiently better than the Lagonda figures previously published to excite the necess-ary public attention. (3) Lagondas will almost certainly, as soon as they can after our press notice, streamlineExperimental Streamline Bentley B.23.A.E a 12-cyl, and beat our figure. We need the 24 hour run to take the gilt off this run of theirs. If it is decided to go for the 24 hours, we recom-mend that instructions to proceed should be given immediately after the projected press run. We make this suggestion because - (1) Though we have done the development work, this will have to be applied to the Paulin car, i.e., the 14 gallon petrol tank, Hartford Shock Dampers, Duplex petrol system, etc. We shall also have to send a special engine over (on temporary importation) to use on the actual run. | ||
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).