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).
Bentley chassis weights, comparing the 'D' series with the 'A' series and discussing weight-saving measures.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 88\3\ scan0129 | |
| Date | 3rd March 1935 | |
| To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c.c. to EF. c.c. to WOP. c.c. to UX. c.c. to RF. c.c. to JLA. c.c. to JH. L258 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/KH. D.3.35. Bentley Chassis Weights. Further to EF.2/MR.4.2.35, attached is a summary as far as we know of the weight changes on the Bentley chassis, comparing 'D' series with 'A' series. The chief weight saving item, i.e., the 56 m/m.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Harrison radiator, has not yet come on production. This is 16 lbs. 8 oz. lighter than the one at present fitted. For future cars we have in the immediate future a further increase of weight of 4 lbs. geared starter motor, and 1 lb. 6.5 oz. cantilever pedals, whereas we have a saving of about 7 lbs. on the sheet metal floorboards. This list indicates how the weight of a chassis creeps up, and it requires somebody giving constant attention to lightening, even to succeed in keeping pace with the increase. As an example, the cross member between the head lamps has risen from 4 lbs., which was found to be satisfactory on our test, to 5 lbs. 12 ozs. On 5-B-IV we believe that we shall have sufficient lightened parts to get the chassis back to its original weight, but we should like further assistance from Design. HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/RM.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||