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).
Specifications for the Bentley 5 'Corniche', including leather, wheels, and body modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 97\3\ scan0082 | |
| Date | 30th March 1939 | |
| TO SR/EWF. from Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c.c. RV. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Des. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FD.{Frank Dodd - Bodies} SECRET. #500 Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}12/G.30.3.39. BENTLEY 5 "CORNICHE" - 14.B.5. We thank you for your memo received this morning. The red leather sample we sent you was from Connolly, and if you will write to them telling them that they should communicate with Mr. Ward of Park Wards, mentioning that they have an order for some red leather, such as he has ordered from them, he will give them the order number of his order, which will enable them to identify the pattern. Unfortunately the leather is not catalogued, as it has been made to order. The wheels for this car will be the sheet steel wheel, and although those supplied with the chassis are not actually the final wheels they are accurate enough for your purpose if you fit new tyres. Although we intend to use 6.000 tyres, we feel that the wing clearance and the spare wheel cavity should be made to allow of 6.500 section tyres if need be. We have arranged with Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FD.{Frank Dodd - Bodies} to get to you by the Embericos car, on Friday next, or failing that by air, a "Widney" top bonnet hinge, which will be much longer than you require. You can have it dismantled and cut to length. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Paulin has a scheme shewing this hinge and how it is built into the bonnet. The drawing also shews the fitting of the bonnet rear support which in your case may need to be modified. We are sending you one in the hopes that you may be able to alter it up. We have also arranged for Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FD.{Frank Dodd - Bodies} to send two Rover Type Top Bonnet catches. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Paulin also has a scheme shewing how these are built into a bonnet and how the top and side plates are formed to take them. With respect to the applying of the Embericos body to the B.5 chassis, we note your remarks on M.Paulin's views. Even if we did remove the exhaust silencer as suggested the foot wells would be very poor due to the narrow frame and wide centre to the frame cross. We would much prefer, if it is at all possible to develop the 'Corniche' to have the Embericos performance, and our recent engine work leads us to believe this to be within the bounds of possibility. (see Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}25/N.21.3.39 - copy to Sr. and M.Paulin). The Corniche is a much more saleable type of body than the Embericos. We agree to your fitting a square type "Ace" rear number plate as you suggest on 14.B.5. C Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||