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).
Letter to a customer discussing the challenges of acquiring specific Bentley and Rolls-Royce models due to chassis limitations and wartime availability.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 90\3\ scan0154 | |
| Date | 24th May 1941 | |
| 261D FILE Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/SW. 24th May, 1941. Mr. Thompson, Middleton Hall, Kings Lynn, NORFOLK. Dear Mr. Thompson, You have given me a problem which I cannot solve in connection with the Bentley car that you would like to buy. All the Bentley cars made by Rolls-Royce, Ltd., have exactly the same size of chassis. The chassis precludes a body of really adequate dimensions being fitted. One or two cars have been made with bodies that are bigger than standard, but even so, even on these cars, it is not easy to get in and out of the front or back seats. I am sure that if you came to live with a car that belongs to George Thompson, and which you say has a bigger body, you would very soon be dissatisfied with it. If you are convinced that this is what you want, and will let me have the chassis number and the name of the firm who made the body, I will try and see if a replica can be purchased. The new type of Bentley or Mark V.{VIENNA} which you have tried several times when I have been at Middleton, is a very different motor car, and I think would suit you admirably, but it is absolutely impossible to obtain one at the moment. About five were finished at the out-break of war, and these were sold to important retailers in the trade. One more was being finished off which was ear-marked for the Duke of Kent, but which might have finished up at Middleton, but this was destroyed in a "London Blitz". The position with regard to Rolls-Royce cars is entirely different. The Wraith is really an entirely up-to-date design on the same lines as that of the Bentley V.{VIENNA} and can be fitted with a really adequate body. I believe I should have little difficulty in getting you a car that would suit your requirements admirably, and in fact had one standing by for your inspection in London had you been well enough to try it. (continued) | ||