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 conference discussing the appearance and design of the Bentley 3½ Litre model, specifically the radiator and bonnet louvres.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 30\2\ Scan297 | |
| Date | 29th August 1933 | |
| X2924. BENTLEY - 3½ LITRE. Minutes of Conference held at Derby on Tuesday, August 29th, 1933. PRESENT. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} En. Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Minute No. 1. Appearance. The question of the appearance of the car when viewed from the front was discussed and the merits of the various mock-ups which had been inspected were considered. En. and Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} both expressed the opinion that if the existing design of radiator shell be used and polished shutters fitted instead of the wire guard they would be satisfied with the appearance. It was therefore agreed to put in hand 15 sets of parts so as to convert the first 15 chassis to meet their wishes. The new radiator shells which are necessary will be made in heavier gauge material and shutters will be fitted to them. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} pointed out that the drawn section which will be used for the shutters should be of a better finish than that previously supplied in order to reduce the high cost of polishing. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} suggested that we should send to the makers of the drawn section someone out of our own shop who is intimately associated with what is required as regards finish. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} instructed that these new parts should be ready to fit to the 15 chassis immediately they are returned to the Works for final test. All of these 15 chassis are due back at the Works by the middle of September and the first of them may be in Derby this week. 2. Louvres. The form of louvre which shall be used in the bonnet was discussed and it was generally agreed that the R.R. type of louvre is to be preferred. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} instructed that all the existing bonnets should be modified at the Works accordingly. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} said that it was quite a satisfactory job to alter the form of louvre from the existing shape to the R.R. shape. | ||