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).
Secret progress report on the B.III car, its road-holding qualities, and future development plans.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 97\5\ scan0262 | |
| Date | 18th March 1938 | |
| Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. REC. c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} c. HFS. BIII & Ruin Policy SECRET. 400 B.III CAR. This car has been driven a considerable distance. It is not yet fitted with controllable dampers and the rear springs are too weak. The gearbox is of the universal type designed for the P.III. The main interest in the preliminary road work was to determine the potential road-holding qualities of the car compared with the latest 'M' Series Bentley II. In spite of the somewhat incomplete specification of the chassis, we are of the opinion that its behaviour is promising, and that we shall have no difficulty in making it considerably easier to handle and more comfortable than the existing Bentley. Continuous development work has been carried out on the frame on the bump rig. We have recently completed 50 hours' running, the only trouble experienced being at a point where, in the ordinary way, the frame would be reinforced by the body stiffness. The model that has been run can be obtained for one third the price of the Wraith frame. The power developed by the engine unit is up to that of 'M' series in spite of the less costly type of camshaft and tappets being used. According to the programme, the next car to be built will be a B.50, which will be followed by a B.III, to a specification which it is hoped will be sufficiently advanced to enable the car to run 15,000 miles. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||