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 discussing a customer complaint about a 'transmission jagger', brake performance, and a recent vehicle test.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\3\ scan0039 | |
| Date | 11th August 1936 | |
| To: "Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}". N° 2. 11-8-36 We are very shortly going to receive a a sort of "stinker" from one of our French customers - Monsieur Favier. He is complaining bitterly about the transmission jagger; we have fitted to his 4.1/4 L Chassis (B-226-GA) one of the clutch centre plates you sent us, but this has not cured the trouble on his car as it certainly did on mine, and his jagger is getting worse. Whilst awaiting this letter, is there nothing we can do, as we would like to satisfy him. This complaint, by the way, is general with the 4.1/4 Litre Bentley owners who have already had an opportunity of using their cars, and all customers complain of this jagger though they are otherwise delighted with their cars. Incidentally, Mr Favier has just covered 5,000 odd kilometres with his Bentley going over the Stelvio and other peaks without the slightest difficulty, and had no trouble with vapour locks or anything else despite the great heat. His chassis, I might add, is fitted with petrol filters to the rear. I was very impressed with the smoothness of "E's" Bentley, and must congratulate all concerned on this new engine mounting which I consider a great improvement. Whilst "E" was here, he had a look at my B-8-GA, and was very enthusiastic about this "super-light" car, photographs of which I enclose, to enable you to live down the impression that this is a freak car. I omitted to give you a report on the effect of fitting the short levers to this car. The braking was considerably improved; in fact it was remarkable. I had no sooner gone for a short run round the Bois, however, but my brake drums back and front were fuming? We carried out several tests with the same result, and if the brakes were utilized to their capacity, one looked very much like a "travelling house on fire", so we were reluctantly obliged to remove them! My standard braking, incidentally, has improved considerably since you tried the car, and I am still awaiting the large-rim wheels and tyres to try out on my car, and trust they will arrive one of these days. Finally you will be interested to know that I was asked to carry out an official test with my B-8-GA, controlled by Monsieur Henri Petit of motoring fame. My speedometer was removed, and a Tel registering apparatus installed in its place, having, as you know a graph recorder, and details of this run will be published. When it is, I will send you a copy. In the meantime, I am able to tell you that the average speed from our Showrooms to Le Mans via Tours (which you will appreciate is an entirely different problem than going from Paris to Le Mans direct) was exactly 105 kms per hour. As you are aware no risks had to be taken, and the maximum speed through villages was 60 kms per hour. This performance speaks | ||