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).
Translated report on the trials of a 'Streamlined' Bentley on German speed roads.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\4\ scan0019 | |
| Date | 3rd March 1939 | |
| TRANSLATION ET. 3.3.39. RM {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} ON THE GERMAN SPEED ROADS WITH THE "STREAMLINED" BENTLEY ------------------ Mr. Walter Sleator, Manager for France of Rolls-Royce and Bentley and an old friend of ours, kindly invited "La {L. A. Archer} Vie Auto-mobile" to witness the trials of a 4 1/4 litre Bentley of the type shown last October in Paris and London. We know the Bentley well, having travelled many a mile in the various models produced since the Derby Works have started manufacturing them alongside of the Rolls-Royce. This time, however, there is something new, although the car itself is not a new one. As a matter of fact it is the or-dinary 4 1/4 litre, to the engine of which about 20 H.P. have been added (142 H.P. instead of 125 at 3750 r.p.m.); the compression is raised to 8 instead of 6.5 by the use of new patent pistons which do away with any trace of noise; there are two carburetters of slightly larger size than the ones on the current model. The over-drive gear box is the usual one, but the back axle gear ratio is a little higher. And last, but not least, this chassis is fitted with a streamlined body designed by the French engineer Paulin and built in Paris, under Sleator's supervision. For the present, at any rate, this car is known as the "Streamline" by our friends in Derby. The body is very roomy; it accommodates 4 passengers in absolute comfort, with springy seats and swabs, and can take their luggage. It is not | ||