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).
Issues found during the testing of a 3 1/2 litre Bentley, including problems with the exhaust, speed, and wing movement.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\1\ scan0141 | |
| Date | 21th July 1933 | |
| To: "Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}" From: "Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}" Sèvres. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}2/Crn.21.7.33. (Dictated 20.7.33). Re: 3 1/2 litre Bentley. I have sent a note to "Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}", as per copy of memo. attached hereto, reference HsI/Crn.20.7.33. There is another point on the exhaust system which we must alter, as long as we use mild steel for the expansion box. We are only asking for trouble if we cover it with asbestos, etc. The one we dismantled here to-day was very badly scaled on the short running it has had. I think that we have got to make the exhaust system reliable, even at the expense of exhaust noise when idling. The speed of this car is rather disappointing. We shall be able to say more about it later. I still do not know whether the speedometer is set as we arranged. I am going out with "Hm{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs}" and "Sr" to-night on the car, and we may have some more criticisms. The movement of the wings is very bad over pavée roads. I am fully convinced of the necessity for centre mounting for the whole of the front. France still remains the finest testing ground. There were times on the run from Havre to Paris yesterday when I hated this car. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||