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).
The development of the Bentley V model, covering seating, panels, bonnet height, and road tests.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161a\2\ scan0316 | |
| Date | 24th November 1938 | |
| - 5 - BENTLEY V.{VIENNA} 5. Type of front seat. Cox type seats are being provided in 10-B-V which is due to be ready early in February. 6. Aluminium Wings and Panels. It was pointed out that by the use of these on BV bodies there would be a saving in weight of 50 lbs, but the cost would be £4.15.0. per body more. It was considered well worth this extra cost to save the amount of weight indicated, which figures were confirmed by EY. and it was agreed we should adopt this procedure. 7. Bonnet Height and Visibility The figures given in the Agenda were corrected to read - "height from the road of the B.II 43.675" " " " " " " BV 43.8" The height of the bonnet on BV was enhanced by the relative lowness of the front wings due to the adoption of smaller wheels. It was considered worth while to experiment with the height of wings on a mock-up to see whether the appearance was improved in any way by having wings higher than is really necessary for clearance purposes. 8. B-E-V 15,000 Mile Test. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}5 /R7.11.38 indicates that the preliminary strip report shows 80% to be satisfactory for material release. With regard to the Vandervell bearings used on this test, the reason we do not wish to use special alloy as on main bearings is because they would prevent the use of a less expensive crankshaft. The Vandervell bearings are reported to have done better than any other white metal bearings previously run on a Bentley in France. 9. The point was raised as to when Ex is going to use a BV, as it was considered necessary that he should do so as soon (cont) | ||