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).
Effectiveness and standardisation of the Bentley cross member fitted between the headlamps.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\4\ scan0099 | |
| Date | 5th March 1935 | |
| W/S - C. x4553 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}20/KW.5.3.35. Bentley Cross Member between the Headlamps. --------------------------------- Replying to C.2/C.28.2.35. The position with regard to the dropped cross member between the headlamps is as follows - Originally we tried this on a car at Derby and were under the impression that it was of little benefit without the stabilising bumper bar; in fact it appeared by measurement to make the wing movement very slightly worse. It is always difficult to get a true value for any alteration on one car. We then sent this cross member out to Sr. who tried it in conjunction with GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}, and he was definitely of the opinion that the cross member alone was a marked improvement. The position therefore is that everyone admits that the cross member in conjunction with the bumper bar is a 100% improvement, but there is a difference of opinion as to whether when the cross member is fitted alone any improvement will be effected. The point is that unless the cross member is fitted, a 100% cure cannot be effected when the bumper bar is added. It was agreed by Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and the technical people at Derby, in Conference, that the cross member should be fitted, and this was confirmed in Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}21/E.21.12.34. The Standardisation Sheet has now been signed by everyone except Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||