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).
Concerns over a story in 'Motor Sport' magazine about W.O. Bentley's design contributions and his subsequent move to Lagonda.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\2\ scan0086 | |
| Date | 5th December 1938 | |
| 1260 Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Rml/R.5.12.38. In the October Number of "Motor Sport" (which we enclose), opposite the advertisement for the 4¼-litre Bentley car a paragraph appears from which you will see it is stated that W.O. Bentley designed the 3½-litre Rolls-Bentley chassis. This is the first time we have seen this statement in print, though from various comments we have heard in the Motor Trade from time to time, it is quite a widely accepted fact. It seems to us that somebody is trying to establish the story that W.O. Bentley went to Rolls-Royce and designed the Bentley, and that without him this car would never have existed. He then went to Lagondas and designed the Lagonda. Naturally, therefore, the Lagonda will now oust the Bentley since Rolls-Royce have lost the services of W.O. This seems to us to be a very dangerous state of affairs, especially as shortly W.O. will legally be able to use his own name. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||