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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).
Production delays and material release schedules for the Bentley V chassis ahead of the 1939 Motor Show.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 97\1\  scan0266
Date  30th November 1938
  
SECRET. HSO

RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}

c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} By/HEB.{H. Biraben}
c. Ey. By/CS.
c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} By/RD.
c. RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/SB.{Mr Bull/Mr Bannister} By/NS.{Norman Scott}
c. RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/G/Mc. By/CRL.{C. R. Lisson}
c. By/JD.{J. Draper - Frames} Roy{Sir Henry Royce}/Les.{Ivan A. Leslie}

Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/R.30.11.38.

With reference to the release of material for 50 Bentley V.{VIENNA} chassis, we are anxious to do all we can to assist the Works to get into production with these chassis by the 1939 Motor Show, but, at the same time, we want to avoid manufacturing scrap.

You very rightly pointed out in your RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}1/MC. 30.8.38. that our present rate of progress would have to be accelerated if we are going to be able to release material, as promised, in March. As a matter of fact, far from the rate of progress being accelerated, it has actually been slowed up, largely due to the fact that we have been unable to obtain bodies. Actually, had we been in step with what was done on the Wraith, we should have had three Bentley V's on the road last July, whereas in actual fact we have not yet got our third Bentley V.{VIENNA} from the Coachbuilders. In spite of this, we believe we can release the whole of the chassis to you by the end of March, with a reasonable hope of avoiding major alterations once the pieces have been made.

We attach herewith a specification of parts that we can release as a result of the preliminary 15,000 miles' run in France. These pieces are released for the first 50 chassis.

With the exception of the gearbox and dashboard, we hope to complete the release of the first 50 chassis by January 10th. We expect to release the gearbox for the first 50 chassis by February 1st.

We think that there will be no doubt that we shall be able to release 80% of the chassis pieces for the first 250 cars by the 11th February, but we shall want until the end of March to clear up the remaining 20%. This is in accordance with our original programme contained in Ey.9/G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 13.1.38., which everyone agreed was reasonable at the time. As a matter of fact, numerous circumstances have arisen since then which has increased our difficulties. We believe that, with co-operation, you will find that you are held up on so few items by the beginning of March that you will be able to deliver to test in September, as anticipated.

Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}
  
  


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