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).
Body design projects for the Bentley 50, referencing designs PD.66 and PD.80.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 111\1\ scan0007 | |
| Date | 23th December 1937 | |
| Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} [crossed out] Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [crossed out] c. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EN. 104H BY.9/G.23.12.37. GBA 304 BENTLEY 50. BODY PROJECT. Following the various discussions on the type of body and body space to be made available on the above car, we have produced two body projects outlined respectively on PD.66 and PD.80, blueprints of which are attached. PD.66 represents the body project, which we evolved at Derby after considerable discussion, with the object of submitting same as representing our proposals. This was considered by Sales, and thought to be inadequate in regard particularly to the space between a vertical line drawn from the rear edge of the front seat to the front of the rear seat, Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}'s suggestion being that we should have at least the same amount of space available between the rear of the front seat and the front of the rear seat in a body with a division that was provided like the Imperial Humber Snipe. On PD.80 we have treated the matter along these lines. Bentley 111 is shown at the top in two forms.- (a). 1-B-5. The more orthodox, which is shown on the right hand side, and (b) 2-B-5. a more advanced type of design, as shown on the left hand side. There is no interchange-ability provided between the Bentley 111 design and those below the double line covering Bentley 50. Below the double line i.e. for Bentley 50 designs, we have shown four door four light close coupled designs in two types, one with a plain sloping back and the other with a boot for luggage shown as such in the design. We have shown on the main drawing a body which exactly compares in every way with the Humber Imperial Snipe, the dimensions having all been based on the Humber Imperial Snipe, which was examined. We think that these two projects, which again show the plain inclined back and a back showing a boot include all the criticisms which were raised by yourself in discussing PD.66 at Derby. | ||