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 notes on the Bentley 50, discussing driver visibility, a sample body, and experimental parts.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161a\2\ scan0210 | |
| Date | 11th March 1938 | |
| BENTLEY 50 - 6 - C29/KW11.3.38. 3. (contd) thin front pillars in the body, the visibility would be better than the present Bentley. He also agreed that so far as the visibility of the front wings from the driving seat is concerned this would not be as good as the present Bentley, in other words, the wings would be invisible to the driver because of the broader and higher bonnet which had been scaled up proportionately to the broader and higher body to be fitted to this chassis. It was agreed that the width of the radiator should not be changed, it being the same as the present Bentley, and that the height of the radiator and bonnet would remain as already submitted for approval. It was however thought that by arranging the shape and height of the front wings in such a way as to give the best possible chance of their coming into the line of vision of the driver, the visibility criticised in some of the reports from S. may possibly be improved. It is realised that this question of front wing visibility will have to be a compromise having regard to all the other features of design involved, and that the result after the final modifications to the design will be the best that can be provided in the circumstances. 4. Name No definite recommendations were yet forthcoming in this respect, but the matter was discussed and it is hoped that suggestions will be forthcoming in due course. 5. Sample Body by Park Ward. This has arrived at the Works and is criticised from the point of view of bad finish. It is understood an appointment is being made for Mr.Finney and Hn.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders} to attend at the Works on Thursday to hear all the criticisms of this first sample. GENERAL 1. Vacuum Operated Change Speed An experimental car with parts which have been obtained from America will in due course be tried out. | ||