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 of thanks and feedback following a 312-mile test drive of a new Bentley.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\6\ 06-page080 | |
| Date | 6th November 1935 | |
| COPY 6th November, 1935. My dear Herbert Scott, I really do not know how to thank you and Mr.Cowan for your very great kindness in giving me one of the most wonderful treats that I have had for a very long time; namely, the use of one of the new Bentleys for two whole days. You asked me when I saw you last to give you a perfectly candid opinion with regard to the car, which I will do, but even if I have some criticisms to make I hope you will realise that this does not in any way detract from my most sincere gratitude to you for having allowed me to drive the car. I had meant to cover a long distance on Saturday as well as on Sunday; as a matter of fact owing to pressure of work I was unable to cover the distance that I meant to do on Saturday, but yesterday I went considerably further. In all, I did 312 miles, and used 24 1/2 gallons of petrol. I did my best to put the car through the most severe test that I possibly could. On Saturday I covered 92 miles and occupied that time in getting thoroughly used to the feel of the car, and yesterday I did 220 miles. I left London about 10 o'clock and proceeded through Staines, Basingstoke, Winchester, Romsey to the New Forest. I did exactly 92 miles in one hundred minutes. This was done with due regard to public safety and meant going quite slow through all the towns and villages passed through en route; which meant a very high speed on the road. I then tried slow-running tests, proceeding for about 20 miles with the engine just ^at stalling point; an almost P.T.O. | ||