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).
Modifications to the Bentley lll and Bentley 50 production programme.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 111\2\ scan0326 | |
| Date | 5th April 1938 | |
| Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} e.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} e.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} RMS. BY.2/G.5.4.38. 800 BENTLEY lll and BENTLEY 50. PROGRAMME. Referring to BY.8/G.13.1.38. and programmes attached to same for Bentley lll and Bentley 50, we propose to modify our programme following the production of the first Bentley lll car as outlined below :- (1). The second car instead of being a Bentley lll as originally intended will be a Bentley 50, with the following features :- (a). New gearbox of smaller dimensions. This box will not be suitable for Phantom lll, but will be interchangeable for all other cars. (b). Lowered floor. (c). New front grille with modified shell and radiator. (d). Pressed steel dashboard, forming a part of the body. (e). Bonnet with raised sides and Widney hinge. (f). Frame strengthened at rear end. (g). All other features similar to Bentley lll. This car will be completed by the middle of June. (2). Following the first Bentley 50 a Bentley lll chassis will be produced, at which time the new axle for Bentley 50 will be available; the new axle will be fitted to the first Bentley 50 and the Bentley lll axle, which was fitted to 1-B-50 will be fitted to 8-B-V.{VIENNA} This car will be available the last week in July. (3). The second Bentley 50 will be available the first week in September. This will include the special features outlined above for Bentley 50, including the new axle. Dealing now with the actual programme for each chassis, this | ||