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 production status and delays concerning the Bentley V chassis and its components.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 97\2\ scan0049 | |
| Date | 20th March 1939 | |
| HSO CARA To: RHO. G.Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} OT.BY. c. Rn.{Mr Robinson} Gr.{George Ratcliffe}Les. RHO.2/FH.15.3.39. ROY.{Sir Henry Royce}11/PB.20.3.39. For purposes of record, I would state that on 1st March, 1939, By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} gave instructions that purchase of the BENTLEY V.{VIENNA} material should not proceed until Rn.{Mr Robinson} returned, owing to the possibility of delaying production until the end of 1940. Previous to this date it was not intended to build as many as 50 Chassis, owing to the delay on production until early 1940. On March 16th, By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} issued his memo stating that the question had at last been satisfactorily cleared up with Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} and we are now working accordingly. The position today, is, briefly as under:- 1. 44 complete sections released. 36 of these being on the engine and electrical system are largely common to WRAITH. 2. Of the remaining 8 Sections, which consist of special parts, the following large items have already been instructed, additional to 75 smaller Forgings and Pressings already on order:- A.{Mr Adams} Tools for the Frame were released on the 31st October, 1938, although final instructions from the D.O. did not reach us until 24th January. B. Tools and material for 300 Radiators released 27th January. Instructions to the Order Office were not received from the D.O. until 4th March. C. Tools and material for the Girling Brakes were released 27th and 31st January, but even today are officially held up by the D.O. - 1 - | ||