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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).
Brief history comparing the Bentley B.III and Bentley B.50 (original Phoenix) projects.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 148\5\  scan0230
Date  25th November 1937
  
To.Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}
e.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} __________
File
1260
also
2044
Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}29/N.25.11.37.

History of Bentley III & Bentley 50 Projects.

As requested by Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} we give below a brief history of the B.III. and B.50 (original Phoenix) Projects.

No.1. - Duffield Bank Project. LeC.5681 & LeC.5679.

B.III.
Engine. 4¼ Wraith.
Wheelbase - 10' 4"
Dash to rear axle 89.500"
Underslung frame.
Height 5' 3½"
Headroom 47.000"
Bodies -Close Coupled Saloon.

B.50.
3½ Litre Peregrine.
Wheelbase 10' 1"
Dash to rear axle 89.500"
Underslung frame.
Height 5' 3½"
Headroom 47.000"
Bodies - Close Coupled Saloon and six-light Saloon with 6" more room in rear of body.

General Description.
B.50 was made from B.III by cutting off 3" of the front end of the frame and substituting a shorter engine. The longer body of B.50 was achieved by moving the rear seat back to the rear axle, but no raising was necessary due to the underslung frame. The body was the same as the close coupled for B.III and B.50 with exception of the rear quarters and boot.

No.2. Project. PD.7 and PD.20.
Project No.2. was the result of changing to the overslung frame. Only B.III was considered, and it was said that B.50 would have to be a higher car by 1 to 2" for the Six-light body unless the wheelbase were increased for this.

Continued.........
  
  


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