Meeting notes discussing the Bentley B.50 programme, vacuum-operated gear changes, and petrol filler design.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161a\2\ scan0260 | |
| Date | 15th June 1938 | |
| - 6 - BENTLEY 50 5. Programme The programme as set out in BY4/G5.4.38 was considered and has been adhered to so far as the first car to be available is concerned. The programme is to be kept under close observation at future meetings. A point of interest in connection with B.50 programme is the share that Park Ward's have in the programme so far as the bodywork is concerned, and Sg {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} pointed out that they require approximately 15 months' notice to prepare for the output of coachwork that would be required. Strictly speaking they ought to be advised now but it was appreciated that it was perhaps not possible at this date to definitely give them the required information. The matter will be discussed further at future meeting. GENERAL 1. Vacuum Operated Change Speed The parts have now been received from America and the possibility of adapting them to a car has been considered. 2. Petrol Fillers The question of petrol fillers in wings was discussed. It was appreciated that the matter concerns B.III and B.50 and that it was governed very much by the width of body that was decided upon. The comparative figures available were discussed and it was decided that in so far as B.III was concerned this must remain a Sports car and therefore there is no need to take full advantage of width of body inside that can be available, and having regard to the width between the wheel arches it was considered that 1" more than the present Bentley dimensions for elbow room would be sufficient. This means that the body would not be so wide as to prevent the inclusion of the petrol filler in the rear wing on B.III. As regards B.50, it was mentioned that all we were seeking in this was a dimension not in excess of that provided by the Humber which we inspected at Conduit Street. This figure | ||
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).