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).
Development and design proposals for the Bentley III prototype body.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 98\2\ scan0150 | |
| Date | 16th September 1938 | |
| 404 By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/R.16.9.38. BENTLEY III BODIES. Confirming our conversation, we think that the next B.III body to be put in hand should be the Prototype, and that this should be instructed almost immediately. If it is not the next body built, it will certainly not run 15,000 miles before material has to be ordered. Presumably it will be exactly like the car that is now being produced, except that it will have your modified bottom side. In view of the fact that this car will have no running boards and also will not have to have provision on the boot for carrying the spare wheel, we think it will be a very deplorable state of affairs if it weighs more complete with its wings, than the 4 1/4-litre Bentley body which it supersedes. We are sending Park Ward's a complete weight analysis of the Jaguar body. When this 4th. car is instructed, it will leave two bodies, one of which is going to be a Coupe and the other body designed to harmonise with the new frontal appearance. You will remember at the last discussion with Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} he seemed quite enthusiastic about our going ahead making a car with a bonnet either of the Paulin or Lincoln Zephyr type. A considerable amount of work will probably be necessary on this car, both with regard to wind tunnel and the cooling system, and, therefore, we do not expect to be able to instruct the body until next year. We are not very enthusiastic about the drawing of the Coupe submitted by Hn.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders} We think that the Experimental Coupe should represent the very latest trend in Drop Head body design so that the maximum amount of information can be obtained from it. With this end in view, we suggest that it is not instructed until all the available bodies at the Salon and Olympia have been examined and a design got out as a result. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||