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).
Notes from an Interim Chassis Meeting discussing costs and development for Bentley models B.3 and B.50.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161a\2\ scan0080 | |
| Date | 8th December 1937 | |
| Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} LS. 1381 By / RD Childe Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/LS.3/T8.12.37. Please note last paragraph Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Notes on Interim Chassis Meeting held December 7th, 1937. Costs The cost of the Bentley 50 was discussed at length and finally the following figures were put forward as a target, and RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}, BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} and Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} agreed that they were possibilities. Material £150. Labour £90. These figures refer to a car fitted with the present Wraith type of engine. It was agreed that this target should be made applicable to B.3 and BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} will issue a revised programme for this car, having this in mind. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} reported that he had under consideration the possibility of adopting open-hearth steels, which show a price reduction from £39 to £34. Bentley 3. The first Experimental B.3 will be ready to run about the end of January 1938. It will have light alloy drums but alternative interchangeable cast iron drums will be available. It will also have a universal gear box. The first B.50 gear box is about a month off, and will ultimately go into B.3. The design of the semi-floating rear axle is being reviewed to accommodate the heavier body intended for B.50. A design investigation is being carried out on pressed wheels. The designs will be issued early in February. | ||