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).
Plan for building prototype bodies for a rationalised chassis range.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 117\4\ scan0261 | |
| Date | 25th February 1944 | |
| 1021 (4) To: Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 8/h.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} 25.2.44. c.c. to M/LS. c.c. to Bly.{B. W. Bleaney - Bentley Sales} c.c. to WG.{Mr Gill - Financial Director} c.c. to Psn. Coach G BODIES FOR RATIONALISED CHASSIS. We are anxious to have at least one sample of each body proposed for the Senior Rationalised range of chassis to look at and sit in, so that the trim and interior dimensions may be available for criticism. We should naturally have liked these bodies to be made in steel but Ward is only able to tackle one in addition to the Myth which he is at present making. We have, therefore, had to go elsewhere for two bodies. It appears that Mulliners of Chiswick and Mulliners of Birmingham are both in a position to build a prototype body. We are, therefore, with your agreement, proposing to place the Silver Ripple body with Mulliners of Chiswick and the enclosed limousine with Mulliners of Birmingham. Ward has undertaken to make the 4-light limousine on the 11' 1" wheelbase with a division in steel, as that will be the largest seller of the custom built bodies which he is likely to make. Pressed Steel are investigating the quantity production of the Silver Ripple body which, with alterations to the scuttle to accommodate the Bentley radiator, will also be used for the equivalent of the post-war Bentley 5, which we have called the "Cresta". It will have no less accommodation than the cars Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} and Lp.{Mr Lappin} are driving. We have chassis with obsolete coach work on to which all these new bodies can be fitted, even though in some cases the frontal appearance will be incorrect. All these prototype bodies will be fitted with a special hardware which we have been devloping in conjunction with Wilmot Breedon. These will certainly be better quality than anything the coach builders have previously been able to purchase, and should cost a fraction of the price that has previously been paid for small quantities. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||