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).
Minutes of a chassis conference discussing Bentley V, Avon Tyres, Silver Ripple, and Wraith production.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161a\1\ scan0031 | |
| Date | 24th August 1939 | |
| SECRET. 1381 Les.1/IB. 24. 8. 39. Minutes of Chassis Conference held in the Board Room on Monday, 21st August, 1939. Present - Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} (Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}) Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/LS. RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/JRD. RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/McC. Bentley V.{VIENNA} RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/McC. stated that no further troubles had developed on either Bentley V or Corniche Chassis. RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/JRD. promised that Labour Costs should be available for both Bentley V and Silver Ripple Chassis by Monday, September 4th. Avon Tyres. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} stated that a Dunlop Tyre of a similar type was no better than the Avon Tyre. The whole matter was being considered very carefully, and he felt that Avon Tyres would cause no trouble on production. Silver Ripple. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} stated that Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} was anxious that the Silver Ripple should be a 20. HP. car. Both BY and Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} felt that the Engine size should not be reduced, for the following reasons:- (1) Extra designs and Development required. (2) The reduced performance. (3) That it would interfere with the present junior rationalised programme. (4) That a large reduction in engine capacity should be linked with a large reduction in price. Wraith Production 50 sets. Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} stated that the Bar and Billet for these Wraith Chassis, would not be complete until the beginning of October. An effort is being made to improve upon this date slightly. Bentley V Production. 250 sets. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} stated that Messrs. Park Ward Co. Ltd., were set out to build ten bodies per week, beginning at the end of this year. This means that more than ten chassis are required per week, in order to supply other Coachbuilders. -1- continued:- | ||