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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).
Appearance of Bentley cars, specifically the functionality and aesthetics of running boards, proposing an experiment for the Bentley III model.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 98\2\  scan0028
Date  25th October 1937
  
200B
also 1260
400
404

Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}
Re.
a.{Mr Adams} Ey.
a.{Mr Adams} Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}
a.{Mr Adams} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}
a.{Mr Adams} Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}
a.{Mr Adams} Hn.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders}

Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}7/R.25.10.37.

BENTLEY III APPEARANCE.

At Earls Court we were struck by the attractive appearance of the Bentley cars without running boards which were exhibited on various coachbuilders stands, in particular, Windovers, Carlton & Offord.

On the present Bentley there is some excuse for a running board because of the height of the floor level which has to be negotiated before the feet can be got into the wells.

On Bentley III the flat floor will be 14" only from the ground so that the running board simply becomes an obstruction rather than an aid to getting into the automobile.

The sole function, therefore, of the connection between the front and rear wing is to stop mud slinging. As it has to be made strong enough to stand on, it becomes an expensive and costly piece for the work it has to do.

We believe that, owing to the progress that has recently been made in aero dynamics, it is now possible to control eddies so that mud coming off the front wing does not smother the side of the car.

We suggest that one of the Bentley III bodies should be built, for experiment, with reduced width running boards that cannot be used as steps. A good example of what we mean was to be seen on a Hillman Minx on one of the Coachbuilders stands.

Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}
  
  


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