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).
Issues and proposed improvements for Bentley V & 50 car bonnets.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 112\3\ scan0059 | |
| Date | 30th March 1939 | |
| 805 405 To By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/wym.{G. Harold Whyman - Experimental Manager} c. DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/JD.{J. Draper - Frames} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/wym.{G. Harold Whyman - Experimental Manager}1/MH.{M. Huckerby}30.3.39. BENTLEY V & 50 BONNETS. We have been looking into the bonnet question on B.V. and B.50 cars. First of all we would point out that all the bonnets at present fitted to our B.V. and B.50 cars are a poor job, and whilst we understand that an improved bonnet is to be fitted to 10.B.V., our criticisms are intended to help produce something better, and are not just destructive criticisms. The new type of bonnet as we all know, is a supposed copy of the Rover bonnet, and assuming that Rovers have already spent some time in developing it prior to putting it into production, it seems that we have not copied it well enough. In the first place we consider that the main trouble is due to poorly fitting side plates, and until these are made a good job we cannot expect the top plates to fit correctly. We consider that the Ferodo pads and metal clips for securing the side plates are inadequate in size for the work they have to do, and are also badly placed. This will be seen from the sketches attached showing the comparative sizes of both the Rover and Bentley side plates and the methods of attachment. Whilst appreciating that the depth of our side plates is such that it prevents us from using the wing nut method used by Rovers for holding them down, we do like the idea of a turned over bottom edge, both as a means of strengthening the side plates, and as a definite up and down location, and would suggest this be incorporated in our bonnet, with a corresponding turned over edge on the bonnet strip. Owing to variations from car to car this may not be feasible. | ||