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).
Secret memorandum detailing the chassis programme, including progress on the Wraith and Phantom III replacement models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\2\ scan0082 | |
| Date | 25th November 1938 | |
| Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} SECRET. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}5/R.25.11.38. CHASSIS PROGRAMME. B.V. & B.50. With reference to Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}17/E.23.11.38., the position is that the policy with regard to the first two items, i.e., B.V. and B.50, has not at any time been altered, and these are going forward as originally planned. WRAITH REPLACEMENT. The Wraith Replacement is well forward. It was pointed out in Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}6/R.18.8.38 that we expected to have the chassis ready for the body in 8/10 weeks' time. We now have a firm delivery date from Park Wards for the beginning of February, and they have made the necessary dummy frame. It will be seen, therefore, that we shall have a Wraith Replacement running on the road before the end of February. This car can be fitted with either the 6-cylinder or 8-cylinder engine, and will have the same amount of body space as the present standard Wraith limousine. As it is not an out-size motor-car, we hope that with the 8-cylinder engine it might approach the P.III performance, in spite of the latter's 30% larger engine. P.III REPLACEMENT. Turning to the P.III replacement, we have carefully considered this car, and have discussed it with By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} and Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} The problem is this. The Rationalised programme started out with a car slightly smaller than the Bentley, which was discussed at "Duffield Bank House", and the parts had to be stretched to be made capable of carrying a Bentley body. After a certain amount of design work had been done, the idea of B.50 was introduced, i.e., a considerably larger car than the original conception, which could be fitted with a division. As far as possible, the rationalised parts, which had already progressed a certain distance, were modified to enable them to deal with the larger car. Having got a B.50 running about, which was reasonably satisfactory, we felt it was worth making the effort to get a Replacement Wraith by putting another 3" in the frame, but you will note from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/R27.5.38., we are by no means certain that we can make a success of this project. We are definitely not optimistic that we can put 3" more in the wheelbase, and accommodate a longer and wider body without departing very materially from the range of rationalised parts. | ||