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).
Meeting minutes discussing deliveries, test bodies, shutters, and standards for Bentley chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\4\ 04-page296 | |
| Date | 31th May 1933 | |
| Minute No. -3- Hy{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer}2/H.31.5.33. 9. Deliveries. U. said it was intended to finish off 12 of the 18 chassis now being made into complete cars and 4 of them are required ready for the road and in London by September 15th or earlier. The chassis for these 4 cars should be in London tested and ready for body mounting by the first week in August. They will be returned to Derby for final finished car test before the end of August and Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} promised that the 4 cars should be finalled and back in London by Sept. 7th. The delivery date of the remaining 8 of the 12 chassis was discussed and Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} promised to finish the 8 chassis also by the first week in August. 10. Test Bodies. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} and MX.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} came into the Conference. The type of body to be used for testing Bentley chassis was discussed and it was finally decided that rough strong bodies made on the lines of the existing test bodies should be provided. They are to be of similar frontal area to the Park Ward bodies and care should be taken that they are not top heavy. HV. will consult with EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} and MX.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} to settle the details of construction. Three bodies are to be obtained and two of them are required by July 18th. 11. Shutters & Stoneguards. C. enquired whether the Bentley will have shutters or stoneguards as standard. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} said it was decided that shutters should not be used, therefore, a guard or grille of some kind is necessary as the radiator matrix is flat and not of Vee form like the top tank. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} said he would have various patterns of guards fitted on cars in about 2 weeks' time so that a final choice can be made. Ox. said he preferred the appearance of the stoneguard to shutters. 12. Standard of Silence. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} raised the question of the standard of mechanical silence which will be expected from the production Bentleys. After some discussion it was agreed that Bentley 1 & 2 which all have tried should be regarded as a satisfactory standard for production as regards silence and performance. | ||