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).
Conclusions from an interview concerning the fitting of Widney type concealed top bonnet hinges to a Bentley bonnet.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 84\3\ scan0167 | |
| Date | 13th January 1937 | |
| TO E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Copy to ES. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} E/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/MN.13.1.37. Concealed Top Bonnet Hinge. We give below the general conclusions arrived at during our interview with Mr. Cheston of Messrs.Hallam Sleigh & Cheston concerning the fitting of their Widney type top bonnet hinges to the Bentley bonnet. It will be recalled that in September,1935, we asked them to make a sample hinge giving a greater opening than 135°, and during that period it transpires they have been struggling to make one to meet our requirements. They have partly evolved a hinge made of cast aluminium or alloy sections which would appear to be very unsatisfactory, and in the end only gives 5° increase in opening. It transpires that if they made a special hinge for us in sheet steel to give us any increased opening the die cost would be in the neighbourhood of £600 for each type of car. We have therefore, accepted as a fundamental that we must take the standard angle of opening and use one of their standard hinge pressings. If we cannot do this, then it would appear we cannot have their hinge. It was proposed that we should make a design for the Bentley bonnet top hinge using their small section Widney hinge if possible with the present aluminium bonnet panels. We will design the fixing at the radiator and at the dash board, and we will make those pieces here. Messrs.Hallam Sleigh & Cheston will supply the bonnet hinge,and the bonnet itself will be built up in our Works. This design will be put in hand at the first possible opportunity and Messrs.Hallam,Sleigh & Cheston will be urged to supply their parts within a week of receiving our design. EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||