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).
Criticism of the new Bentley chassis's radiator appearance and the need for improvement.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\6\ 06-page016 | |
| Date | 24th August 1933 | |
| Copy. S/s. Mor..... from C. Dear Mor., I am afraid this may come as a bit of a shock to you, but I hope it won't in view of the fact that the appearance of the Bentley has been criticised at Derby already. The fact of the matter is that everybody who has so far seen the Bentley chassis which we have delivered to the coach-builders, has criticised the radiator as looking cheap and undis-tinguished and so similar to cars of the very cheapest class. Unfortunately I must confess that I agree with them, as from the beginning I have hated the idea of what is known as the "wire stone screen". Crosby went down to Park Ward's Works and I arranged for Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} to accompany him. He really went down to make a drawing of the chassis, to appear in the "Autocar" when we make the announcement, and I told Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} to arrange with Crosby to endeavour to make his drawing look not too much like a Rolls-Royce by featuring those parts that are different and dealing lightly with those parts that are the same, and also at the same time get his views as an artist as to whether he thinks the front part of the car could be improved. He immediately expressed his strong dislike of the radiator, without Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} suggesting anything to him, and confirming Bn{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington}'s own opinion. Mr. Pass, of Pass & Joyce, whom I look upon as one of the best motor salesmen in the business, saw these cars at Park Ward's also, and he told me he thought it looked an awfully good job but what a pity it was we had that type of radiator, because of its cheap appearance and likeness to American practice. So that altogether I feel we have got to do something or other desperate before these cars go to Olympia, because I think there is no doubt that they will create a tremendous amount of attention, and appearance counts for such a lot, quite apart from any mechanical advantage. There is always the lady to be considered. I feel it would be a nasty thing if there was a "but" about it from this point of view. contd. | ||